Pakistan clinched a historic series victory over Australia in the third ODI at Perth, securing their first series win on Australian soil in 22 years. Australia’s batting lineup struggled once again, posting only 140 runs before being bowled out in 31.5 overs. Pakistan’s efficient chase saw them reach the target in just 23.1 overs, finishing at 143 for 2 with 139 balls remaining, winning the match by eight wickets and the series 2-1.
The match began on a rough note for Australia as they found themselves without several key players, including Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood. Their absence was keenly felt as Australia’s top order failed to mount any resistance, crumbling against Pakistan’s pace attack. Australian opener Matt Short’s 22 was the only score in double digits among the top five, and Sean Abbott, batting lower down the order, top-scored with 30 off 41 balls. He was supported briefly by Adam Zampa and Spencer Johnson, who added some late runs to stretch the total to 140.
The innings took a worrying turn when Cooper Connolly was struck on the hand by a bouncer from Muhammad Hasnain. The 21-year-old Connolly retired hurt after scoring seven and later returned to support his team from the sidelines, possibly sidelined by what could be a fractured hand.
Pakistan’s bowlers were relentless, led by Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah, who each claimed three wickets. Shaheen struck early, removing opener Fraser-McGurk, who was caught behind without any foot movement, while Aaron Hardie fell after hesitating too long to leave a rising delivery, resulting in a catch at second slip. Josh Inglis, leading Australia in the absence of Cummins, also struggled with only seven runs off 18 balls before top-edging an attempted pull. Maxwell’s third consecutive failure against Haris Rauf further hurt the home team, as Rauf ended with figures of 2 for 24.
The Pakistani chase was off to a strong start, with openers Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique laying a solid foundation. Ayub scored 42 and Shafique 37 before both fell to Australia’s Morris, who took two for 24. Despite a dropped catch by Morris when Ayub was on 16 and another dropped chance by Zampa, Pakistan remained in control. Captain Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan finished the chase comfortably, with Babar scoring 28 not out and Rizwan unbeaten on 30.
This series highlighted Australia’s vulnerability without its regular players, with no batsman managing a half-century across the three games – a first in Australian ODI series history of three or more matches. After a narrow win in the first ODI, Australia was outplayed in the following games, particularly in batting. Their failure to adjust to Pakistan’s aggressive bowling further fueled concerns over depth and form in the lead-up to future tournaments.
Pakistan’s emphatic series win marks a significant achievement as they ended a 22-year drought in Australia, showcasing their bowling depth and adaptability. With this victory, Pakistan’s ODI squad demonstrated resilience and skill, which will boost their confidence as they look ahead to upcoming international fixtures. For Australia, however, the series raised serious questions about the team’s batting depth and resilience in the absence of senior players, highlighting the work required to compete at the highest level consistently.
