PAK vs AUS: Pakistan clinches historic ODI series win over Australia after 22 years

In a historic triumph, Pakistan ended a 22-year wait for an ODI series victory against Australia, sealing a memorable moment in their cricket history. The last time Pakistan won an ODI series against the Kangaroos was in 2002 under the leadership of Waqar Younis.

Choosing to field first in the decisive third ODI, Pakistan’s bowlers rose to the occasion, restricting Australia to a mere 140 runs. Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah led the attack with three wickets each, while Haris Rauf and Mohammad Hasnain contributed crucial breakthroughs.

Chasing a modest target, openers Abdullah Shafique and Saim Ayub laid a solid foundation with an 84-run partnership. Shafique contributed 37 off 53 balls, hitting a boundary and a six, while Ayub made a confident 42 off 52 deliveries, including four boundaries and a six. Lance Morris eventually broke the stand, dismissing both openers in the 18th over.

Captain Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam saw the team home with a composed chase, finishing the game in the 28th over. Rizwan remained unbeaten on 30, and Babar supported him with a solid 28 as Pakistan claimed victory with eight wickets to spare.

Pakistan Playing XI: Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan(w/c), Kamran Ghulam, Agha Salman, Irfan Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain

Australia Playing XI: Matthew Short, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Josh Inglis(w/c), Cooper Connolly, Marcus Stoinis, Aaron Hardie, Glenn Maxwell, Sean Abbott, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson, Lance Morris