Pakistan win historic ODI series after pacers set up another dominance

Pakistan created a new history by winning the three-match ODI series against the hosts Australia after winning the last game of the series by eight wickets. 

Pakistan pacers dominated in the entire ODI series. In the third or series-decider ODI match at Perth, Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan chose to field first after winning the toss. Australia saw five changes in the playing XI, and Josh Inglis made his captaincy debut in international cricket. All the players, excluding only Inglis, related to the first Test match against India have been rested for the ODI series decider. 

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After bowling out Australia for only 140 runs, Pakistan chased the target in 26.5 overs after losing only two wickets. With this victory, Pakistan won the ODI series by 2-1. 

Among the top seven Australian batters, only the opener Matthew Short (22) and Aaron Hardie (12) reached the double-digit scores in the innings. 

Cooper Connolly was retired hurt

Cooper Connolly was retired hurt after scoring seven runs. On the second ball of the 17th over in the first innings, Connolly received a blow on his left hand from Mohammad Hasnain’s delivery. He went for a pull, but the ball hit his glove. He faced the next delivery before realising his injury. 

The 21-year-old cricketer Connolly has been ruled out from the upcoming home T20I series against Pakistan due to a fractured left hand. The scan report found a fracture to the fourth metacarpal of his left hand. His replacement for the upcoming T20I series will be announced soon. 

Coming back to the game, Australia were struggling at 88/6. Sean Abbott (30), Adam Zampa (13), and Spencer Johnson (12) added some runs to take the scoreboard close to 150 runs. 

All Pakistan pacers took wickets

Pakistan bowlers conceded 22 extras, including 16 wides, but those didn’t affect the visitors. While Shaheen Shah Afridi (3/32) and Naseem Shah (3/54) bagged three wickets each, Mohammad Hasnain (1/24) and Harsi Rauf (2/24) also picked up wickets. 

Pakistan batters chased comfortably

In reply, all the top Pakistan batters provided valuable contributions to chase the target comfortably. Openers Saim Ayub (42) and Abdullah Shafique (37) had an 84-run partnership for the first wicket, while Babar Azam (28*) and Mohammad Rizwan (30*) easily finished the game after both openers were dismissed in the same over. 

Among the Aussie bowlers, only Lance Morris (2/24) managed to pick up wickets. 

While Harris Rauf won the Player of the Match award, he also won the Players of the Series award after finishing the series as the leading wicket-taker (10 wickets).  

Pakistan created history as the first Asian team

It was Pakistan’s second ODI bilateral series victory in Australia. Previously, they recorded it in the 2002 tour when they won the three-match ODI series by 2-1. 

Pakistan became the first Asian team to win an ODI bilateral series more than once in Australia. 

Meanwhile, Pakistan also became the second visiting team in Australia to record twice winning an ODI bilateral series with more than one match. South Africa is the other team in this record as they won the 2009 and 2018 ODI series in Australia tours.