- News
- Sports News
- Cricket News
- PAK vs AUS Highlights, 3rd ODI: Pakistan beat Australia by 4 wickets, win series 2-1
PAK vs AUS Highlights, 3rd ODI: Pakistan beat Australia by 4 wickets, win series 2-1
After opting to bat, Australia looked set for a competitive total with Inglis scoring 65 off 71 balls and sharing useful stands with Marnus Labuschagne and Alex Carey. However, the visitors suffered another dramatic collapse, losing their final seven wickets for only 38 runs to be bowled out for 157 in 42 overs.
Shaheen Shah Afridi starred with the ball, claiming 3-30 with both the new and old ball, while Abrar Ahmed returned 2-19 and Shadab Khan ended a five-match wicketless streak in ODIs with 2-28. Haris Rauf also played a crucial role by removing Carey and triggering the collapse.
Australia’s bowlers threatened to pull off an unlikely win on a surface offering considerable assistance to spin. Left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann struck three times, including the prized wicket of Babar Azam, who top-scored with a patient 40 off 84 balls. Pakistan slipped to 112-6 before Shadab and Abdul Samad combined for an unbeaten 49-run partnership.
Shadab finished on 29 not out, with Samad unbeaten on 18, as Pakistan reached 161/6 in 41.5 overs. Australian captain Josh Inglis admitted his side had left itself short once again.
“A bit like the first game, we were just too many runs short,” Inglis said after Australia’s batting struggles proved costly.
Haris Rauf to Josh Inglis, Good length, outside off, shaping away. Josh Inglis punches it to the cover fielder.
- Marnus Labuschagne 7 (10)
- Josh Inglis 9 (6)
Shaheen Afridi to Marnus Labuschagne, On the stumps, angling in, Marnus Labuschagne covers his line and makes a solid block.
Shaheen Afridi to Marnus Labuschagne, EDGED AND FOUR! Streaky from Marnus Labuschagne! Good length, shaping away. Marnus Labuschagne looks to block it with soft hands. He gets a thick outside edge as the ball races through short third for a boundary.
Shaheen Afridi to Josh Inglis, Nice and full, on leg, Josh Inglis helps it to fine leg for a single.
Shaheen Afridi to Josh Inglis, Angling in, on a length, on off. Josh Inglis knocks it to the mid off fielder.
Shaheen Afridi to Josh Inglis, FOUR! Through the gap! That's a good bit of placement from Josh Inglis. Good length, outside off, Josh Inglis stays back and punches it magnificently through point for a boundary.
Shaheen Afridi to Josh Inglis, Too full, on middle, Josh Inglis looks to flick it but gets an inside edge as the ball rolls to the left of the keeper.
Shaheen Afridi to Josh Inglis, Wide! Sways it down the leg side, Josh Inglis looks to flick it but misses.
- Marnus Labuschagne 3 (8)
- Josh Inglis 4 (2)
Haris Rauf to Marnus Labuschagne, Swing and a miss! Keeps it full and outside off, with a hint of away movement. Marnus Labuschagne swings hard but misses.
Haris Rauf to Marnus Labuschagne, Beaten! A tad fuller, shaping in, outside off. Marnus Labuschagne looks to drive it but gets beaten on the inside edge.
Haris Rauf to Marnus Labuschagne, Haris Rauf goes full again, on middle, Marnus Labuschagne turns it through the left of square leg for a brace.
Haris Rauf to Marnus Labuschagne, Nice and full, on middle, Marnus Labuschagne covers his line and blocks it back to the bowler.
Haris Rauf to Marnus Labuschagne, Angling in, on a length, on off. Marnus Labuschagne punches it to the point fielder.
Haris Rauf to Marnus Labuschagne, Haris Rauf starts with a fuller one, on off. Marnus Labuschagne blocks it to point.
Once again, the Pakistani skipper picks up a wicket in the first over. Haris Rauf will take the other new ball.
- Josh Inglis 4 (2)
- Marnus Labuschagne 1 (2)
Shaheen Afridi to Josh Inglis, FOUR! First boundary of the innings! A tad fuller, outside off, Josh Inglis latches onto it and guides it magnificently through backward point for a boundary.
Shaheen Afridi to Josh Inglis, Nice and full, outside off, Josh Inglis taps it to the cover fielder.
Shaheen Afridi to Marnus Labuschagne, Australia are underway. Length, on middle and leg, Marnus Labuschagne flicks it to square leg for a single.
Shaheen Afridi to Marnus Labuschagne, Good length, angling in, on middle. Marnus Labuschagne blocks it to cover.
Early blow for the Aussies. Marnus Labuschagne walks out to bat at number 3.
Shaheen Afridi to Matthew Short, OUT! TAKEN! Shaheen Afridi strikes eventually. An early breakthrough for Pakistan as Matthew Short walks back for a duck. Hard length, on middle and leg, Matthew Short looks to drive it on the up, but the ball stops on him and the bat turns in his hands as well. It goes off the bottom half of the bat straight towards mid on. Sahibzada Farhan leaps and takes a good catch above his head. Australia are 0/1.
Shaheen Afridi to Matthew Short, Almost a perfect start from Shaheen Afridi. He bowls a fuller one, on leg, shaping away. Matthew Short stays back and looks to flick it but wears it on his pads. An appeal but turned down. It was going down leg.
We are all set for the series finale! The Pakistan players are already out in the middle. Out comes the two the openers for Australia - No Alex Carey this time, it will be Matthew Short and Josh Inglis. Skipper Shaheen Afridi has the new ball in hand and is raring to go. Let's play...
PITCH REPORT - Bazid Khan says that there is a slight bit of breeze blowing across that will give a bit of relief to the players. Adds that it is almost identical to the pitch that was used in the last game. Khan shares that it looks darker, but it is very dry and there are some cracks on it which will help the ball to turn. Says that the batters who have waited for the ball and not force the pace have been successful here. Ends by saying that overall it will support the spinners.
The visitors have shown resilience throughout the series despite fielding a relatively inexperienced squad. Players such as Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marnus Labuschagne and Matthew Short will carry the responsibility of building a competitive score against Pakistan’s potent bowling attack.
Australia also made a tactical adjustment by bringing Cooper Connolly into the playing XI. With spin expected to play a role once again, the all-rounder could prove to be a valuable addition.
A strong batting performance would put pressure on Pakistan in a high-pressure chase. Having already shown their fighting spirit throughout the series, Australia will be eager to finish the tour with another statement victory and take home the ODI series trophy.
For decades, Chacha Cricket has been one of the most recognizable faces in Pakistan cricket. Dressed in his trademark green attire and carrying boundless energy, he has travelled across the globe supporting the national team through victories and defeats.
Fans attending the match are expected to give him a heartfelt farewell as he bids goodbye to the venue that has witnessed many of his memorable moments. His dedication and passion have made him a beloved figure among players and supporters alike.
The decider against Australia therefore represents more than just a cricket match—it is also an opportunity to celebrate one of Pakistan cricket’s most loyal ambassadors.
As Pakistan prepare for the series-deciding clash against Australia, Babar's form could be one of the biggest factors in determining the outcome. The stylish right-hander remains Pakistan's most experienced batter and often sets the tone for the innings when he gets going.
Australia will be well aware of the threat he poses and are likely to target him early. However, a confident Babar can be difficult to contain, particularly on familiar home conditions. With the series on the line, Pakistan will hope their star batter can deliver another match-winning performance and guide the team to a memorable victory in Lahore.
Heading into the deciding ODI against Australia, Minhas will once again be under the spotlight. Pakistan have shown faith in him by retaining the same XI, and his confidence appears to be growing with every outing. Beyond his bowling, Minhas has also shown composure under pressure, something that could prove valuable in a high-stakes encounter.
Pakistan's management has been searching for dependable young talent capable of making an impact in international cricket, and Minhas has already demonstrated he possesses that potential. A strong performance in the decider could further strengthen his place in the national setup and make him one of Pakistan's key players moving forward.
Pakistan captain Shaheen Afridi was not overly concerned about bowling first, stating that the pitch had not changed much and that his side would focus on bowling in the right areas. The hosts have retained the same playing XI, while Australia have made one change with Cooper Connolly coming into the side.
With players like Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Cameron Green and Josh Inglis involved, fans can expect a fiercely contested battle. The winner will not only claim the match but also secure the ODI series.
Pakistan (Unchanged Playing XI) - Sahibzada Farhan, Maaz Sadaqat, Babar Azam, Ghazi Ghori (WK), Salman Agha, Abdul Samad, Shadab Khan, Arafat Minhas, Shaheen Afridi (C), Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed.
Australia (Playing XI) - Matthew Short, Josh Inglis (C/WK), Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Matt Renshaw, Cooper Connolly (In place of Tanveer Sangha), Oliver Peake, Matthew Kuhnemann, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa.
The skipper of Pakistan - Shaheen Afridi says that the wicket will be same, so it doesn't matter much. They will try to restrict them to a total lower than 200. Afridi mentions that they will try to bowl well, and he says that the pitch was under cover for only an hour, so maybe they can extract some spin as well. He ends by saying that they are going with the same side.
The captain of Australia - Josh Inglis says that they are going to bat first as it worked really well for them in the last game. On being asked about the total they want to put on the board. He says the track looks pretty much similar to the other end and they will try to execute the same way they did in the last game. Inglis mentions that they adapted really nicely after the first day and they will to continue it in that way. Ends up saying that they have one change, Cooper Connolly comes in place of Tanveer Sangha.
Captain Shaheen Shah Afridi led from the front with figures of 3-30, while Abrar Ahmed and Shadab Khan chipped in with two wickets each as Australia were bowled out for 157 in 42 overs, their lowest ODI total in Pakistan. Josh Inglis fought a lone battle with 65 off 71 balls, but Australia lost their last seven wickets for just 38 runs.
Pakistan’s chase was tested by left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann, who claimed 3-38 and removed Babar Azam for a patient 40. With the hosts reduced to 112-6, Shadab and Abdul Samad held their nerve in an unbeaten 49-run stand. Shadab remained unbeaten on 29 and sealed victory with a boundary off Adam Zampa.
“It was a complete team effort throughout the series,” said Afridi, praising his bowlers for executing their plans on difficult batting surfaces.
Match Statistics
Venue
Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
