Pakistan pacers rattled Australia in their backyard as they won the third ODI by eight wickets to clinch series 2-1. In the series decider at Perth Stadium, Pakistan bowled out Australia for 140. Pakistan chased down the non-threatening target with eight wickets in hand and 23.1 overs to spare. This is Pakistan's first ODI series win on Australian soil since 2002.
New ball troubles Aussie top-order
Earlier, Mohammad Rizwan won the toss and opted to bowl first. Jake Fraser-McGurk failed again and edged one to Rizwan off Naseem Shah's second over. Shaheen Afridi then dismissed Aaron Hardie as he went fishing outside the off stump. Stand-in skipper Jos Inglis was troubled by Naseem's short ball and departed for a single-digit score. Opener Matthew Short played a few impressive shots but becaue Haris Rauf's first victim in the 14th over. Australia faced more trouble as in the 16th over, Mohammad Hasnain's delivery injured Cooper Connolly.
No fightback from experienced batters
Experienced campaigners Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell could not do much. Maxwell lost his wicket to Rauf for the third consecutive time in the series. He departed for a two-ball duck. Stoinis struggled to score and lost his wicket after scoring eight runs from 25 balls. Sean Abbott and Adam Zampa shared a 30-run partnership for the seventh wicket. Naseem ended Zampa's stay at the crease in the 27th over. He scored 13 runs from 22 deliveries. Abbott top-scored for Australia with 30 runs from 41 balls before falling to Afridi. The left-arm pacer wrapped up the innings with Lance Morris' wicket for a two-ball duck. Spencer Johnson remained not out for a run-a-ball 12 as Australia were bowled out for 140 from 31.5 overs.
Solid opening partnership
In the run chase, Abdullah Shafique and Saim Ayub were cautious against the new ball. The first six of the innings was hit by Shafique against Abbott in the eighth over. Earlier, Stoinis bowled a maiden over as well. Shafique was dropped by Zampa at fine leg in the 14th over. Morris got the breakthrough in the 18th over. First, he caught Shafique on follow-through. He scored 37 runs from 53 balls. Then, Ayub got knocked over after scoring 42 runs from 52 balls. They shared an 84-run opening partnership.
Babar, Rizwan finish it off
Babar Azam and Rizwan took their time in the middle. In the 23rd over, Rizwan hit Abbott for a six dancing down the track. Rizwan took on Hardie as well hitting him for a six followed by a four. In the 27th over, Babar hit Zampa for a four to finish the run chase in style. Babar and Rizwan remained not out for 28 and 30 respectively as they registered a comfortable series win.
