Stand-in skipper Josh Inglis' half-century went in vain as Australia lost to Pakistan by four wickets in three-ODI series decider at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on June 4. Australia were bowled out for 157 in 42 overs. Pakistan lost six wickets for 112 but chased down the target in 41.5 overs to clinch series 2-1.
Inglis scores fifty
Earlier, Inglis won the toss and opted to bat first. Skipper Shaheen Afridi struck with the second ball he bowled, getting Matthew Short out for a two-ball duck. Inglis hit the first six of the innings in the eighth over. Once again, spin was introduced early in the innings. The partnership between Inglis and Marnus Labuschagne was building nicely but a mix-up led to the latter being run out. He scored 19 runs from 39 deliveries. In the 21st over, Inglis reached his sixth ODI fifty from 54 balls. Haris Rauf returned to knock over Alex Carey for a 32-ball 19.
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Australia suffer collapse
Afridi brought himself back into the attack and struck twice. He got the prized wickets of Inglis and Cameron Green. The skipper scored 65 runs from 71 balls, including eight fours and a six, whereas Green departed for a single-digit score. Abrar Ahmed opened his account by getting Matt Renshaw caught at first slip by Salman Agha. Cooper Connolly couldn't stay long at the crease either. In an attempt to play paddle-sweep, he got bowled by Abrar. Shadab Khan joined the party by getting the wicket of Oliver Peake. After several boundaryless overs, Shadab knocked over Adam Zampa. The tailender scored 10 runs from 23 balls. In the same over, Nathan Ellis was run out attempting a non-existent single. Australia were bowled out for 157 in 42 overs.
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Pakistan’s unideal start to run chase
At the start of the run chase, Maaz Sadaqat hit a few boundaries, gaining confidence. But, soon enough Pakistan dressing room understood that the run chase may not be as easy as they would've hoped. Ellis knocked over Sahibzada Farhan with a slower off-cutter in the third over. Short was introduced into the attack in the eighth over and he got Sadaqat out lbw. The opener went for a sweep shot but missed it. He opted for the review but it didn't go in his favour, getting out for a 26-ball 27. Babar Azam looked to play himself in. Meanwhile, Ghazi Ghori was knocked over by Kuhnemann in the 13th over. Babar and Agha looked to stick a partnership in the middle overs. Kuhnemann got into the act again and broke the partnership with Agha's wicket. He scored 15 runs from 24 balls.
After Babar’s resilience ends, Shadab takes Pakistan home
Pakistan crossed the 100-run mark in the 27th over. Kuhnemann continued to strike. The left-arm spinner breached Babar's defense, knocking him over. He departed for a 40-run knock from 84 balls. In the next over, Renshaw dismissed Arafat Minhas. Pakistan found themselves struggling for 112/6 in the 31st over.
The half-centurion of the previous game looked to rebuild with Abdul Samad. They were able to avoid a batting collapse. In the 42nd over, Shadab hit a boundary to take Pakistan over the line. He remained unbeaten for a 42-ball 29. On the other end, Samad scored 18 runs from 30 balls.
POTM and POTS
Skipper Afridi was named 'Player of the match'. He bowled eighth overs including one maiden, conceded 30 runs and picked up three wickets. Minhas was named 'Player of the series'. He took seven wickets at an average of 12.29, including a fifer. He contributed 60 runs as well.