Lahore (GNP): Pakistan sealed a hard-fought series victory over Australia with a four-wicket win in the third and final ODI at Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday, wrapping up the contest 2-1. A disciplined bowling display first restricted Australia to a modest 157, before a composed lower-order partnership guided the hosts over the line with eight overs remaining — marking Pakistan’s third straight ODI series win over Australia.
Australia Innings: Bowled Out for 157
Josh Inglis called correctly at the toss and opted to bat, but Australia never truly found their footing. Shaheen Shah Afridi struck immediately, sending Matthew Short back to the pavilion for a duck off just the second delivery of the innings. Marnus Labuschagne (19 off 39, 2 fours) and Alex Carey (19 off 32, 1 four) offered brief resistance but failed to convert, with Labuschagne falling victim to a running mix-up with Inglis in the 12th over at 46 for two, and Carey dismissed by Haris Rauf at 98 for three.
Inglis steadied the innings with a resolute 65 before Shaheen returned to claim his wicket alongside that of Cameron Green (7), leaving Australia in trouble at 120 for five inside the 27th over. The lower order crumbled quickly — Abrar Ahmed accounted for Matt Renshaw and Cooper Connolly in swift succession, while Shadab Khan removed Oliver Peake and Adam Zampa (10 off 23). Nathan Ellis was run out off the final delivery of the 42nd over, ending Australia’s innings at 157.
Bowling Figures: Shaheen Shah Afridi 8-1-30-3 | Abrar Ahmed 10-2-19-2 | Shadab Khan 9-0-28-2 | Haris Rauf 7-0-33-1
Pakistan Chase: 161 for 6 in 41.5 Overs
Pakistan’s pursuit of 158 got off to a shaky start when Sahibzada Farhan was bowled by Nathan Ellis in the third over. Maaz Sadaqat injected early momentum with a brisk 27 off 26 balls including five boundaries, but his dismissal — leg before wicket off Matthew Short — left Pakistan wobbling at 41 for two in the eighth over.
Babar Azam took on the responsibility of anchoring the chase, compiling a measured 40 off 84 balls with three fours while building useful partnerships with Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (8 off 13) and Salman Ali Agha (15 off 24, 1 four). Babar’s departure to Matthew Kuhnemann in the 30th over, followed shortly by Arafat Minhas, left Pakistan in a precarious position at 112 for six.
From there, Abdul Samad and Shadab Khan took charge, putting on an unbroken 49-run seventh-wicket stand to carry Pakistan to victory. Samad finished unbeaten on 18 off 30 deliveries while Shadab closed out the chase with a composed 29 not out off 42 balls, sealing the win in 41.5 overs.
Bowling Figures: Matthew Kuhnemann 10-1-38-3 | Nathan Ellis 1 wicket
Scores in Brief — 3rd ODI Pakistan beat Australia by four wickets — Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Australia: 157 all out, 42 overs (Josh Inglis 65, Alex Carey 19, Marnus Labuschagne 19 | Shaheen Shah Afridi 3-30, Abrar Ahmed 2-19, Shadab Khan 2-28)
Pakistan: 161-6, 41.5 overs (Babar Azam 40, Shadab Khan 29, Maaz Sadaqat 27, Abdul Samad 18* | Matthew Kuhnemann 3-38)*
Player of the Match: Shaheen Shah Afridi (Pakistan) Player of the Series: Arafat Minhas (Pakistan)
Series Results:
- 1st ODI — Pakistan won by five wickets | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
- 2nd ODI — Australia won by 41 runs | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
- 3rd ODI — Pakistan won by four wickets | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
