Pakistan secured a memorable 2-1 ODI series victory over Australia after defeating the visitors by four wickets in the third and final match at Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday.
The triumph marked Pakistan’s third consecutive ODI win against the six-time world champions and ensured a hard-fought series success on home soil.
Chasing a target of 158, Pakistan endured an early setback when opener Sahibzada Farhan was dismissed for six in the third over. Maaz Sadaqat then counterattacked with a brisk 27 off 26 deliveries, striking five boundaries before falling leg-before-wicket to Matthew Short.
Babar Azam steadied the innings with a composed knock, building valuable partnerships with Ghazi Ghori, Salman Ali Agha, and Arafat Minhas. The former captain scored 40 runs from 84 balls, including three boundaries, before being dismissed by Matthew Kuhnemann in the 30th over.
Pakistan’s chase came under pressure when Arafat Minhas departed for nine, leaving the hosts struggling at 112 for six. However, Shadab Khan and Abdul Samad produced a match-winning seventh-wicket partnership to guide Pakistan to victory.
The pair added an unbeaten 49 runs, with Shadab remaining not out on 29 from 42 balls, while Abdul Samad contributed a steady 18 off 30 deliveries. Pakistan eventually reached the target in the 42nd over.
For Australia, Matthew Kuhnemann was the standout bowler, claiming 3 wickets for 38 runs in his 10 overs. Nathan Ellis, Matthew Short, and Matt Renshaw picked up one wicket each.
Earlier, Australia’s decision to bat first failed to deliver the desired result as Pakistan’s bowlers restricted the visitors to 157 all out in 42 overs.
Pakistan struck immediately when Shaheen Shah Afridi dismissed Matthew Short for a duck with just the second ball of the innings. Marnus Labuschagne and captain Josh Inglis attempted to rebuild the innings through a 46-run partnership before Labuschagne was run out for 19 following a direct hit from Arafat Minhas.
Josh Inglis then combined with Alex Carey to add 52 runs for the third wicket. Carey made 19 before Haris Rauf removed him, while Inglis continued to anchor the innings with a fighting 65 off 71 balls, featuring eight fours and a six.
Australia’s resistance weakened when Shaheen dismissed both Inglis and Cameron Green in the same over. Abrar Ahmed further tightened Pakistan’s grip by removing Matt Renshaw and Cooper Connolly during the middle overs.
Shadab Khan made a valuable contribution with the ball as well, ending his ODI wicket drought by dismissing Oliver Peake before later accounting for Adam Zampa. A run-out of Matthew Kuhnemann brought Australia’s innings to a close.
Shaheen Shah Afridi led Pakistan’s bowling effort with impressive figures of 3 for 30 in eight overs. Shadab Khan and Abrar Ahmed claimed two wickets each, while Haris Rauf chipped in with one as Pakistan celebrated a well-deserved series victory over one of cricket’s most successful sides.
