PERTH: Pakistan took full advantage of Australia’s decision to rest key players in the ODI series decider at Perth Stadium on Sunday, claiming an eight-wicket victory in the third match after an outstanding display of seam bowling.
Saim Ayub scored 42 and Abdullah Shafique 37, helping Pakistan secure their first one-day series win in Australia in 22 years.
Bowling out the defending champions for just 140, Mohammad Rizwan’s side chased down the target in the 27th over, with a dominant performance by seamers Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Haris Rauf leading the charge.
After a tight two-wicket loss in Melbourne in the series opener, Pakistan rebounded with a decisive nine-wicket win in Adelaide.
“It’s a special moment for me and the fans,” said Rizwan, praising the bowlers for the win. “Australia in Australia is always a tough challenge.”
Despite resting Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc ahead of the Test series with India, the hosts struggled to keep pace, and their bowlers lacked impact.
Saim and Abdullah started aggressively, with some fortunate escapes as they faced dropped catches from Lance Morris and Spencer Johnson. Abdullah was dropped again by Adam Zampa, allowing Pakistan to cruise past the halfway mark of their chase.
Australia finally found a breakthrough as Morris dismissed both Abdullah and Saim, but Rizwan (30) and Babar Azam (28) held steady to complete the win.
OUTPLAYED
Rizwan opted to field, with Australia falling quickly to the lethal trio of Shaheen (3-32), Naseem (3-54), and Haris (2-24).
Top-scorer Sean Abbott managed 30 before Australia was bowled out in the 32nd over.
Captain Josh Inglis expressed disappointment, admitting they were “totally outplayed” after the first match in Melbourne, with a lack of runs in the last two games.
Jake Fraser-McGurk and Matt Short again struggled at the top, with Fraser-McGurk dismissed for seven off a Naseem delivery, caught behind by Rizwan.
Aaron Hardie, filling in at three, contributed 12 before Shaheen claimed his wicket. Inglis followed for seven, caught off a Naseem bouncer, leaving Australia at 56-3 by the 11th over.
Haris removed Short (22) and also dismissed an out-of-form Glenn Maxwell, while Marcus Stoinis added just eight as Australia tumbled to 88-6.
Abbott and Zampa (13) provided a brief resistance before the tail fell.
“It’s a great feeling for us as a nation,” said Shaheen. “Everyone is thrilled.”
Pakistan concludes their Australia tour with three T20 matches starting Thursday in Brisbane.
SCOREBOARD
AUSTRALIA
M. Short c Irfan b Haris 22
J. Fraser-McGurk c Rizwan b Naseem 7
A. Hardie c Salman b Shaheen 12
J. Inglis c Rizwan b Naseem 7
C. Connolly retired hurt 7
M. Stoinis c Rizwan b Hasnain 8
G. Maxwell c Saim b Haris 0
S. Abbott c Haris b Shaheen 30
A. Zampa c Saim b Naseem 13
S. Johnson not out 12
L. Morris b Shaheen 0
Extras (LB-6, W-16) 22
Total (all out, 31.5 overs) 140
Fall of wickets: 1-20, 2-36, 3-56, 4-72, 5-79, 6-88, 7-118, 8-140, 9-140.
Bowling: Shaheen 8.5-1-32-3 (3w), Naseem 9-0-54-3 (5w), Hasnain 7-0-24-1 (3w), Haris 7-1-24-2 (1w).
PAKISTAN
Saim Ayub b Morris 42
Abdullah Shafique c&b Morris 37
Babar Azam not out 28
Mohammad Rizwan not out 30
Extras (LB-2, NB-1, W-3) 6
Total (for two wickets, 26.5 overs) 143
Fall of wickets: 1-84, 2-85.
Bowling: Johnson 8-0-28-0 (3w), Stoinis 3-1-11-0, Abbott 6-0-49-0 (1nb), Morris 6-0-24-2, Hardie 2-0-19-0, Zampa 1.5-0-10-0.
RESULT: Pakistan won by eight wickets.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Haris Rauf
SERIES: Pakistan won 2-1.
PLAYER OF THE SERIES: Haris Rauf
