Pakistan Crush Australia to Clinch ODI Series

Pakistan national cricket team clinched the series against Australia national cricket team with a four-wicket victory in the series-deciding third ODI in Lahore, winning the three-match series 2-1.

Batting was not easy on the spin-friendly wicket, but Pakistan successfully handled the challenge. In a low-scoring encounter, Australia were bowled out for just 157 runs in 42 overs after choosing to bat first. Pakistan also faced some early pressure during the chase, but they eventually reached the target in 41.5 overs with six wickets down.

Babar Azam top-scored for Pakistan with 40 runs. However, when he was bowled by Matthew Kuhnemann in the 30th over, Pakistan were in trouble at 112 for 6. From there, Shadab Khan and Abdul Samad guided the innings calmly. Shadab remained unbeaten on 29, while Samad stayed not out on 18 as the pair secured the victory. Shadab sealed the win in style by hitting Adam Zampa over long-on for a boundary.

Earlier, Australian captain Josh Inglis won the toss and elected to bat first. He played a fighting innings of 65 runs off 71 balls, but none of the other Australian batters managed to cross 20 runs.

Pakistan’s bowlers dominated the middle overs and triggered a collapse in Australia’s batting lineup. Haris Rauf started the breakthrough by dismissing Alex Carey. Later, captain Shaheen Shah Afridi struck with the old ball, removing both Inglis and Cameron Green in the same over.

Spinner Abrar Ahmed was also highly effective, troubling the Australian batters on the slow surface. Cooper Connolly, who was playing in the series decider, became one of his victims. Toward the end, Shadab Khan dismissed Oliver Peake and Adam Zampa as Australia’s innings folded quickly. The innings finally ended when last batter Nathan Ellis was run out.

With three wickets, Shaheen Shah Afridi was Pakistan’s most successful bowler. Abrar Ahmed claimed two wickets, while Shadab Khan also picked up two wickets to complete an impressive all-round performance that ultimately helped Pakistan secure the series victory.