Pakistan punish Australia for first ODI series win Down Under in 22 years

PERTH: Pakistan thoroughly punished Australia for resting their top players in the One-day International series decider at Perth Stadium on Sunday, cruising to an eight-wicket win in the third and final game after a sublime display of seam bowling.

Saim Ayub hit 42 and Abdullah Shafique 37 as Pakistan secured their first one-day series win in Australia for 22 years.

After bowling out the woeful world champions for a miserly 140 at Perth Stadium, Mohammad Rizwan’s team reached their target in the 27th over.

The impressive performance, aided by high-quality bowling from Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf, ensured a first ODI series win in Australia since 2002.

They lost a tense opening match in Melbourne by two wickets, but bounced back with an emphatic nine-wicket victory in Adelaide.

“It’s a special moment for me and the fans,” said captain Rizwan. “I’ll give all the credit to the bowlers. Australia in Australia is not easy.

“But Saim and Abdullah have given us a couple of great starts, too,” he added. “The fans love us regardless of whether we win or lose and I really appreciate that.”

The hosts rested Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc in Perth ahead of the Test series starting this month against India, and they were missed.

Abdullah and Saim began aggressively and rode their luck, with little spark from the bowlers.

Saim, who smashed 82 in Adelaide, survived two dropped catches, by Lance Morris and Spencer Johnson, as he swung the bat.

Abdullah was also put down on 28, by Adam Zampa, as they reached the halfway point in the chase without loss in the 14th over.

Australia finally got a reward when Morris caught and bowled Abdullah and then bowled Saim five balls later.

But Rizwan (30) and Babar Azam (28) kept calm to steer them home.

OUTPLAYED

Rizwan won the toss and sent in Australia, who were no match for Shaheen (3-32), Naseem (3-54) and Haris (2-24).

Sean Abbott top-scored with 30 before they were bundled out in the 32nd over.

“It’s pretty disappointing, to be honest,” said skipper Josh Inglis. “I think after probably the first three-quarters of the first game (in Melbourne) we were totally outplayed.

“Not enough runs on the board in games two and three.”

Jake Fraser-McGurk and Matt Short again opened, desperate for runs after failing to make an impact at Melbourne and Adelaide.

But on a pitch suited to the quick bowlers Fraser-McGurk once more flopped, nicking a swinging Naseem delivery to wicket-keeper Rizwan on seven.

Aaron Hardie, at three in place of Smith, lasted 13 balls for his 12 before being caught at slip off the dangerous Afridi.

That brought Inglis to the crease, but he too departed cheaply for seven, skying a Naseem bouncer that Rizwan collected to leave Australia on 56-3 in the 11th over.

Haris then accounted for Short (22) before youngster Cooper Connolly, in only his second ODI, was forced to retire hurt on seven after a blow to his hand.

Out-of-form Glenn Maxwell only survived two balls with Haris bagging him for the third time this series, caught at point by Saim, while Marcus Stoinis added just eight to the score as Australia stumbled to 88-6.

Abbott and Adam Zampa (13) shared a handy 30-run partnership before the tail was mopped up.

“It was a great feeling for us as a country, as a nation,” said Shaheen. “Everyone is so excited.”

Pakistan round out their tour Down Under with three T20 internationals starting in Brisbane on Thursday.

SCOREBOARD

AUSTRALIA:

M. Short c Irfan b Haris 22

J. Fraser-McGurk c Rizwan b Naseem 7

A. Hardie c Salman b Shaheen 12

J. Inglis c Rizwan b Naseem 7

C. Connolly retired hurt 7

M. Stoinis c Rizwan b Hasnain 8

G. Maxwell c Saim b Haris 0

S. Abbott c Haris b Shaheen 30

A. Zampa c Saim b Naseem 13

S. Johnson not out 12

L. Morris b Shaheen 0

EXTRAS (LB-6, W-16) 22

TOTAL (all out, 31.5 overs) 140

FALL OF WICKETS: 1-20 (Fraser-McGurk), 2-36 (Hardie), 3-56 (Inglis), 4-72 (Short), 5-79 (Maxwell), 6-88 (Stoinis), 7-118 (Zampa), 8-140 (Abbott), 9-140 (Morris)

BOWLING: Shaheen 8.5-1-32-3 (3w), Naseem 9-0-54-3 (5w), Hasnain 7-0-24-1 (3w), Haris 7-1-24-2 (1w)

PAKISTAN:

Saim Ayub b Morris 42

Abdullah Shafique c&b Morris 37

Babar Azam not out 28

Mohammad Rizwan not out 30

EXTRAS (LB-2, NB-1, W-3) 6

TOTAL (for two wickets, 26.5 overs) 143

FALL OF WICKETS: 1-84 (Abdullah), 2-85 (Saim)

DID NOT BAT: Kamran Ghulam, Salman Ali Agha, Irfan Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain

BOWLING: Johnson 8-0-28-0 (3w), Stoinis 3-1-11-0, Abbott 6-0-49-0 (1nb), Morris 6-0-24-2, Hardie 2-0-19-0, Zampa 1.5-0-10-0

RESULT: Pakistan won by eight wickets.