Pakistan prevail in low-scoring chase to clinch series

Pakistan prevail in low-scoring chase to clinch series

Australia captain Josh Inglis opted to bat in the series decider after defending 231 comfortably in the second ODI. However, a batting collapse limited them to just 157. Matthew Kuhnemann kept Australia in the contest with a stirring spell, but Babar Azam led a staunch fight, and Shadab Khan chipped in at the end to secure a nervy victory.

Inglis opened instead of Alex Carey and was the only batter to challenge Pakistan's bowlers, scoring 65 off 71. The next best effort was 19 by both Marnus Labuschagne and Alex Carey. Shaheen Afridi, who took three wickets, made early inroads by dismissing Matthew Short in the opening over.

Inglis built partnerships of 46 (69) with Labuschagne and 52 (62) with Short, taking Australia close to 100. But once the latter stand was broken, a collapse ensued. Afridi triggered the fall by removing Inglis, and Australia went from 119/3 to 157 all out, losing seven wickets for 37 runs in 16 overs. Spin proved difficult to counter: Abrar Ahmed bowled 10 overs for 19 runs, dismissing Matthew Renshaw and Cooper Connolly. Shadab Khan was also frugal with 2/28 in nine overs.

During the chase, Pakistan opener Maaz Sadaqat attacked in the Powerplay, hitting four boundaries in the first three overs. Nathan Ellis dismissed Sahibzada Farhan in the third over, but Sadaqat continued until Short trapped him lbw for a 26-ball 27. Babar Azam started cautiously but anchored the chase with a defiant 40 off 84 deliveries. Kuhnemann raised Australia's hopes by striking repeatedly through the middle overs.

Kuhnemann bowled Ghazi Ghori in the 13th over and later ended the stand between Azam and Salman Agha, catching the latter behind. He dismissed Azam a few overs later, and Renshaw removed Arafat Minhas, leaving Pakistan at 119/5. However, Abdul Samad (18* off 30) and Shadab (29* off 42) guided the chase home in the 42nd over.

Brief Scores: Australia 157 in 42 overs (Josh Inglis 65; Shaheen Afridi 3-30, Abrar Ahmed 2-19, Shadab Khan 2-28) lost to Pakistan 161/6 in 41.5 overs (Babar Azam 40, Shadab Khan 29*; Matthew Kuhnemann 3-38) by 4 wickets.