Pakistan dug in against Australia\u2019s spin challenge on a tricky pitch to clinch a four-wicket win in the third and final ODI on Thursday, thereby wrapping up the series 2-1. The result marked a third straight bilateral one-day series success for Pakistan against the world champions.<\/p>\n
In Lahore, Pakistan were set a modest 158 to win on a surface that offered grip and turn. The chase demanded patience and precision, with the hosts finally getting there at 161\/6 in 41.5 overs. Shadab Khan provided the finishing touch as he stayed unbeaten on 29, having earlier picked up two wickets in Australia\u2019s innings, while Abdul Samad remained not out on 18. Their steady, undefeated partnership carried Pakistan over the line after the team had slipped to 112\/6.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a complete team effort throughout the series,\u201d Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi said after ending with figures of 3-30. \u201cThe conditions were tough for the batters, but every run counted and all of our bowlers executed their plans well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Australia, who won the toss and chose to bat, were dismissed for 157 in 42 overs. It was Australia\u2019s lowest ODI total on Pakistani soil. Josh Inglis stood out with a tough 65 off 71 balls, and he also combined effectively with Marnus Labuschagne and Alex Carey for periods during the innings. However, once Australia lost momentum, the collapse proved decisive.<\/p>\n
After reaching what looked like a workable stage, Australia lost their final seven wickets for only 38 runs as Pakistan\u2019s pace and spin attack tightened the contest. Haris Rauf set the tone by removing Carey, and then Afridi struck twice in the same over with the new ball, sending back Inglis and Cameron Green. Abrar Ahmed produced a sharp spell to claim 2-19, while Shadab brought an end to a stretch without ODI wickets, finishing with 2-28.<\/p>\n
Pakistan\u2019s run chase was never smooth. Babar Azam made the biggest contribution with a composed 40 off 84 balls, but Matthew Kuhnemann\u2014left-arm spinner\u2014ended the innings for Babar by finding a delivery that turned enough to disturb the off stump. With Pakistan already six down and the match delicately poised, Shadab Khan and Abdul Samad steadied the ship on the difficult, abrasive track.<\/p>\n
Australia couldn\u2019t manufacture another breakthrough from there. Shadab then sealed the game in style, smashing Adam Zampa to the long-on boundary to ensure victory and complete Pakistan\u2019s successful chase.<\/p>\n
After the defeat, Australia captain Josh Inglis reflected on the margin, saying, \u201cA bit like the first game, we were just too many runs short.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Pakistan dug in against Australia\u2019s spin challenge on a tricky pitch to clinch a four-wicket win in the third and final ODI on Thursday, thereby…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":14210,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":"Pakistan vs Australia ODI: Series 2-1 Win on Turning Pitch","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Pakistan beat Australia by four wickets in the 3rd ODI in Lahore, winning the series 2-1 on a turning pitch and sealing a key bilateral success.","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14211","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ipl"],"yoast_head":"\n