Pakistan secured a four-wicket victory over Australia in the third and final One-Day International at Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday, sealing the three-match series 2-1 and registering a third consecutive bilateral ODI series triumph over the six-time world champions.

The hosts produced a disciplined all-round performance, led by captain Shaheen Shah Afridi with the ball and Babar Azam and Shadab Khan with the bat, to chase down a target of 158 in 41.5 overs.

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After winning the toss, Australia captain Josh Inglis opted to bat first, but Pakistan struck immediately when Shaheen removed opener Matthew Short for a duck with the second ball of the innings.

Australia attempted to recover through Marnus Labuschagne and Inglis, who added 46 runs for the second wicket before Labuschagne was run out for 19 following a direct hit from Arafat Minhas. Inglis then shared a 52-run stand with Alex Carey, who scored 19 before Haris Rauf broke the partnership.

The turning point came in the 27th over when Shaheen dismissed both Inglis and Cameron Green in quick succession. Inglis top-scored for Australia with 65 off 71 balls, hitting eight fours and a six.

Pakistan’s bowlers maintained the pressure as Abrar Ahmed removed Matt Renshaw and Cooper Connolly, while Shadab Khan accounted for Oliver Peake and Adam Zampa. Nathan Ellis was run out off the final ball of the innings as Australia were bowled out for 157 in 42 overs.

Shaheen finished with outstanding figures of 3-30 in eight overs, while Abrar Ahmed returned 2-19 and Shadab Khan claimed 2-28. Haris Rauf picked up one wicket.

Pakistan’s chase got off to a shaky start when Sahibzada Farhan was bowled by Ellis for six in the third over. Maaz Sadaqat then counterattacked with a brisk 27 from 26 deliveries, striking five boundaries before falling leg-before-wicket to Matthew Short.

Babar Azam anchored the innings with a patient 40 off 84 balls, including three fours. The former captain added useful partnerships with Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Salman Ali Agha and Arafat Minhas to keep Pakistan on track despite the difficult batting conditions.

However, Pakistan found themselves in trouble at 112-6 after Babar was dismissed by Matthew Kuhnemann and Arafat Minhas departed shortly afterwards.

With the match finely balanced, Shadab Khan and Abdul Samad combined for an unbeaten 49-run seventh-wicket partnership to guide Pakistan home. Shadab remained unbeaten on 29 from 42 balls, while Abdul Samad contributed an unbeaten 18 from 30 deliveries.

For Australia, Matthew Kuhnemann was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3-38 from his 10 overs.

Shaheen Shah Afridi was named Player of the Match for his match-winning spell, while Arafat Minhas earned the Player of the Series award.

Series Results:

• 1st ODI – Pakistan won by five wickets at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
• 2nd ODI – Australia won by 41 runs at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
• 3rd ODI – Pakistan won by four wickets at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

Scores in Brief:

Australia 157 all out in 42 overs (Josh Inglis 65, Marnus Labuschagne 19, Alex Carey 19; Shaheen Shah Afridi 3-30, Abrar Ahmed 2-19, Shadab Khan 2-28)

Pakistan 161-6 in 41.5 overs (Babar Azam 40, Shadab Khan 29 not out, Maaz Sadaqat 27, Abdul Samad 18 not out, Salman Ali Agha 15; Matthew Kuhnemann 3-38)

Pakistan won by four wickets and claimed the series 2-1.

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