Lahore: Pakistan clinched a thrilling 2-1 One-Day International (ODI) series victory over Australia after a four-wicket win in the decider, powered by stellar performances from Shaheen Shah Afridi and Shadab Khan.
In a low-scoring contest at Lahore, Pakistan successfully chased down a modest target of 158 in 41.5 overs, overcoming a mid-innings wobble to seal their third consecutive ODI series win against Australia national cricket team.
Shaheen leads bowling charge
Pakistan’s victory was set up by a disciplined bowling effort led by Shaheen Afridi, who returned figures of 3/30. The left-arm pacer struck early and maintained pressure throughout, ensuring Australia never gained momentum after opting to bat first.
He received strong support from spinners Abrar Ahmed and Shadab Khan, who picked up two wickets each. The trio combined effectively to dismantle the Australian batting line-up, bundling them out for just 157 in 42 overs.
Australia started on a shaky note when Shaheen dismissed opener Matthew Short with just the second ball of the match. Despite brief resistance through partnerships involving Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne and Alex Carey, the visitors suffered a dramatic collapse.
After reaching a relatively stable position, Australia lost their last seven wickets for just 38 runs, with two run-outs compounding their troubles.
Inglis fights lone battle
Australian captain Josh Inglis stood out with the bat, scoring a resilient 65 off 71 balls, including eight boundaries and a six. However, he lacked adequate support from the rest of the batting order.
Labuschagne and Carey chipped in with 19 runs each, while Adam Zampa added 10. Despite these contributions, Australia failed to post a competitive total on a pitch that offered assistance to both pacers and spinners.
Pakistan stumble before recovery
Chasing 158, Pakistan appeared to be cruising initially, thanks to a composed knock from Babar Azam, who scored 40. However, left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann turned the game briefly in Australia’s favour.
Kuhnemann registered career-best figures of 3/38, including the crucial wicket of Babar, triggering a middle-order collapse. Pakistan slipped to 112/6, raising hopes of an unlikely Australian comeback.
Shadab and Samad seal the deal
With the match finely poised, Shadab Khan showcased composure under pressure. He remained unbeaten on 29 and stitched together a match-winning 49-run partnership with Abdul Samad for the seventh wicket.
Samad contributed a steady 18 not out, supporting Shadab as the duo guided Pakistan to victory without further loss. Shadab sealed the win with a boundary, bringing relief to the home crowd and completing a hard-fought chase.
Captains reflect on contest
Shaheen Afridi praised the collective effort of his team, highlighting the bowlers’ execution in restricting Australia to a below-par total.
“The bowlers executed their plans well. Conditions were challenging for batters, but the team showed great character,” he said after the match.
On the other hand, Australian skipper Josh Inglis acknowledged his team’s effort but admitted they fell short in key moments. He also pointed out that the relatively inexperienced squad would benefit from the exposure.
Series overview
Pakistan had taken an early lead in the series by winning the first ODI in Rawalpindi by five wickets. Australia bounced back in the second match in Lahore with a 41-run victory, setting up a decider in the same venue.
With this win, Pakistan not only secured the series 2-1 but also continued their dominance over Australia in the 50-over format in recent encounters.
Conclusion
Pakistan’s triumph in Lahore highlighted their strength in both bowling and handling pressure situations. Shaheen Afridi’s early breakthroughs and Shadab Khan’s all-round performance proved decisive in a tightly contested match.
As both teams look ahead to future assignments, Pakistan will take confidence from this series win, while Australia will aim to regroup and build on the experience gained by their younger players.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by News Karnataka staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)