On Sunday, Pakistan achieved a landmark victory over Australia, clinching the three-match ODI series 2-1. This triumph marked Pakistan’s first ODI series win on Australian soil since 2002.
In the third and decisive match, Pakistan’s unchanged lineup held Australia to a mere 140 runs in 31.5 overs and chased down the target efficiently, reaching 143-2 in just 26.5 overs.
Reflecting a shift in Australia’s focus toward the upcoming five-test series against India, the hosts rested their primary red-ball players for this ODI decider, highlighting the diminished emphasis on the 50-over format.
Pakistan’s fast bowlers set the tone early. Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah each took three wickets, dismantling Australia’s top order with a mix of pace and swing. They eliminated central participants like Jake Fraser-McGurk (7) and Aaron Hardie (12) in the powerplay.
Australian captain Josh Inglis, leading the side for the first time, was dismissed for seven after he skied a delivery from Naseem, caught by Mohammad Rizwan in the 11th over. Soon after, opener Matt Short fell for 22, attempting a pull shot against an in-form Haris Rauf (2-24).
Australia’s situation worsened when Mohammad Hasnain struck Cooper Connolly’s left hand, forcing the young batter to retire hurt at seven and leave the field for scans. Rauf then claimed the wicket of Glenn Maxwell on zero, leaving Australia in deep trouble at 79-5. Pakistan’s seamers completed the job without needing any spin, with Sean Abbott top-scoring for Australia at 30.
Pakistan’s reply was anchored by openers Saim Ayub (42) and Abdullah Shafique (37), who delivered a fluent 84-run partnership. Lance Morris (2-24) gave the Perth crowd something to cheer about by dismissing both openers in the 18th over, but Mohammad Rizwan (30) and Babar Azam (28) guided Pakistan to victory.
Reflecting on the historic win, Rizwan, leading the team for the first time in an ODI series, called it a “very special moment,” acknowledging the difficulty of defeating Australia on their home turf. Rizwan praised the team’s fast bowlers and commended Saim and Abdullah for setting a strong foundation in the second and third ODIs.
Australian captain Inglis expressed disappointment with his team’s performance, noting that the batting lineup fell short in the last two matches, resulting in Pakistan’s dominance.
Haris Rauf, named Player of the Match for his three-wicket haul, also earned the Player of the Series award after taking 10 wickets across the three games. Rauf credited the team’s planning and execution for the successful series.
Saim Ayub emerged as the leading run-scorer with a total of 125 runs, contributing crucial scores of 82 and 42 in the second and third matches, respectively.
