In a thrilling display of pace and precision, Pakistan’s bowlers set Perth ablaze, dismantling Australia’s batting lineup and securing a historic ODI series victory.
Under the astute leadership of new captain Mohammad Rizwan, the team chased down a modest target with ease, clinching the win with 8 wickets and 23.1 overs to spare after bundling out the hosts for just 140 runs in the series decider.
This triumph marks Pakistan’s first ODI series win on Australian soil in 22 years, a feat last achieved in 2002. Despite Australia’s initial 2-wicket victory in Melbourne, Rizwan and Babar Azam’s men bounced back with back-to-back wins to seal the series.
As Babar hit a decisive four off Adam Zampa to secure the victory, he and Rizwan celebrated with arms raised high, a gesture of triumph and relief. This victory comes as a significant morale booster following recent setbacks, including disappointing performances in the last ODI and T20 World Cups and a Test series whitewash at home against Bangladesh.
At the Optus Stadium, Pakistan opted to field first after winning the toss. Australia, in a surprising move for a series-deciding match, made five changes to their lineup, leaving out key players like Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, captain Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc. Led by Josh Inglis, the inexperienced Australian side struggled, with only Sean Abbott making a notable contribution of 30 runs, while Cooper Connolly exited with an injury.
Pakistan’s pace duo of Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi wreaked havoc, reducing Australia to a meager 140 runs in 31.5 overs. In response, Pakistan’s openers Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique laid a solid foundation with an 84-run partnership. Despite both being dismissed in the same over by Lance Morris, Saim scoring 42 and Shafique 37, Babar and Rizwan calmly guided their team to victory with an unbeaten 58-run stand, finishing on 28 and 30 runs respectively.
This series win not only breaks a long-standing drought in Australia but also signals a promising new chapter for Pakistan cricket under Rizwan’s leadership.
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