Published: Nov 10, 2024, 03:26 PM (IST)
Edited: Nov 10, 2024, 03:26 PM (IST)
Pakistan registered only their second series triumph Down Under in the 21st century with an 8-wicket win over Australia in the third ODI at the Optus Stadium in Perth on Sunday. The Men in Green’s last series victory over Australia in a in a 3-match ODI contest back in 2002.
Winning the toss, Pakistan’s newly-appointed captain Mohammad Rizwan had no hesitation in fielding first as he wanted to unleash his pace quartet on a fresh and bouncy Perth wicket.
Pacers Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah took 3 wickets each and tore apart the Australian top order. Haris Rauf chipped in with 2 more wickets as the visitors bundled out the hosts for a mere 140-run total in Perth. The Australian batting order completely crumbled in the absence of their senior pros who had left the squad to prepare for the Border-Gavaskar series.
Chasing the modest target of 141, Pakistan openers Abdullah Shafique (42) and Saim Ayub (37) broke Australia’s morale with their partnership of 84 runs.
Finally, a 58-run stand between Babar Azam (28*) and Rizwan (30*) would be enough for the visitors to complete the chase in only 26.5 overs. This victory will be nothing short of a huge confidence booster for the Men in Green, who will next be facing the Baggy Greens in a 3-match T20I series starting from November 14.
