Pakistan beat Australia to win ODI series 2-1

LAHORE (Web Desk/AFP): Pakistan defeated Australia by four wickets in the third One-Day International to clinch the three-match series 2-1.

Chasing a modest target of 158, Pakistan reached the total in the 42nd over to seal the victory.

Pakistan's bowlers delivered an outstanding performance, dismissing Australia for just 157 runs. Batting first in the third and final ODI, Australia struggled against disciplined bowling, with captain Josh Inglis top-scoring with 65 runs. Marnus Labuschagne and Alex Carey contributed 19 runs apiece, while Adam Zampa was dismissed for 10.

For Pakistan, Shaheen Shah Afridi claimed three wickets, while Abrar Ahmed and Shadab Khan took two wickets each. Haris Rauf also chipped in with a wicket.

Pakistan's chase was far from straightforward, as the visitors encountered difficulties of their own. Babar Azam anchored the innings with a composed 40, while Moaz Sadaqat added 27 runs. The match was ultimately secured by Abdul Samad and Shadab Khan, whose unbroken 49-run partnership for the seventh wicket guided Pakistan to a memorable series-winning triumph.

Earlier, spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi took three wickets as Pakistan dismissed Australia for 157 in their third and final one-day international in Lahore on Thursday.

Shaheen finished with 3-30 and was ably supported by Abrar Ahmed (2-19) and Shadab Khan (2-28) as Australia’s innings folded in 42 overs after they won the toss and batted on a slow-paced Gaddafi Stadium pitch.

Spinners Abrar and Shadab built on Shaheen’s early strikes as Pakistan made a strong comeback after losing the second ODI by 41 runs, also in Lahore on Tuesday.

Pakistan won the first match by five wickets in Rawalpindi.

Josh Inglis top-scored with a 71-ball 65 which included eight boundaries and a six, with Marnus Labuschagne and Alex Carey scoring 19 each and Adam Zampa making 10.

Shaheen had Matthew Short caught off the second ball of the match before Inglis added 46 for the second wicket with Labuschagne and another 52 for the third with Carey.

But Australia lost their last seven wickets for a meagre 38 runs with two run outs also hurting their innings.