Pakistan defeated Australia in the third and final One-Day International on Sunday to win the three-match series. This was the first time the Green Shirts had won on Australian territory in 22 years, with their last 50-over series victory being in 2002.
The Men in Green won the series decider by eight wickets, easily surpassing Australia’s modest 141-run mark in 26.5 overs.
An unchanged Pakistan held the hosts to 140 in 31.5 overs before hammering down the target with a score of 143-2, securing their first ODI series triumph in Australia in more than a decade.
Australia’s decision to rest their red-ball players for the final as they get ready for a thrilling five-test series against India starting on November 22 highlights the 50-over format’s declining popularity.
In the first powerplay, Aaron Hardie (12) and Jake Fraser-McGurk (7) were dismissed by Pakistani fast bowlers Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah, who took three wickets each in a display of swing and speed.
In the eleventh over, Josh Inglis, making his captaincy debut, skyed Naseem to keeper Mohammad Rizwan and was dismissed for seven. Matt Short, the opener, was caught at square-leg trying to pull in-form fast Haris Rauf (2-24).
Rauf was named Player of the Series after dismissing 10 Australian batsmen in the series in addition to winning Player of the Match for taking three wickets today.
