Pakistan secured a four-wicket victory over Australia in a low-scoring contest in Lahore, sealing their third consecutive ODI series win against the visitors. Chasing a modest target of 158 on a challenging surface, Pakistan reached the total with 49 balls to spare.
The match was played on a spin-friendly pitch, where variable bounce and turn made batting difficult, particularly in the second innings.
Pakistan Hold Nerve in Chase
Pakistan began with intent as Maaz Sadaqat provided early momentum, scoring 27 off 26 balls with five boundaries. However, wickets at regular intervals kept Australia in the contest.
The innings was steadied by Babar Azam, who anchored the chase with a composed 40 from 84 balls. Despite hitting only three boundaries, Babar’s measured approach ensured Pakistan remained on track in difficult conditions.
Australia’s bowlers applied pressure through Matt Kuhnemann, who picked up 3/38 and removed key batters, including Babar. When Pakistan slipped to 112/6, the game remained in the balance.
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Shadab Khan then guided the hosts home with an unbeaten 29 from 42 deliveries, sharing a crucial 49-run partnership with Abdul Samad to seal the win.
Australia Collapse After Strong Start
Earlier, Australia were bowled out for 157 in 42 overs after a promising position of 119/3. Josh Inglis led the scoring with 65 from 71 balls after being promoted to open.
He played fluently during the powerplay, taking on both pace and spin, and struck boundaries regularly, particularly on the off side. However, wickets began to fall rapidly once the middle order was exposed.
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A 52-run partnership between Inglis and Alex Carey provided some stability before Carey was dismissed by Haris Rauf. Shaheen Shah Afridi then triggered a collapse, removing Inglis and Cameron Green in quick succession.
Pakistan’s bowlers shared the workload effectively. Afridi claimed three wickets, while Abrar Ahmed and Shadab Khan picked up two each, as Australia lost seven wickets for just 38 runs.
Spin Conditions Define the Series
The series was played on spin-friendly pitches, designed to test Pakistan’s squad ahead of the next ODI World Cup. The final match once again highlighted the challenges batters faced, with sharp turn and uneven bounce throughout the game.
Despite the testing conditions, Pakistan managed to chase down the target with discipline and composure, completing a successful series.
