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AUS vs PAK 2024/25, AUS vs PAK 3rd ODI Match Report, November 10, 2024

Pakistan Batting 143 for 2 (Ayub 42, Shafique 37, Morris 2-24). Australia 140 (Abbott 30, Afridi 3-32, Naseem 3-54, Rauf 2-24) by eight wickets

After being in turmoil in the run-up to the tour, Pakistan completed a remarkable revival to claim a rare series triumph in Australia after claiming a comprehensive eight-wicket victory in the third and final ODI on a bouncy Optus Stadium surface.

After suffering a heartbreaking defeat in the opening match at the MCG, Pakistan bounced back brilliantly with near-flawless performances in Adelaide and Perth to overwhelm world champions Australia, who still have many question marks ahead of the upcoming 2025 Champions Trophy.

It was Pakistan's first series win in Australia since 2002 and a result made even more incredible considering white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten quit just a week before the tour amid Pakistan's protracted unrest.

But Pakistan appeared to be gaining momentum under Jason Gillespie, their Australian Test coach who is following in Kirsten's footsteps, and were ignited by a rampant four-pronged attack that defeated an undermanned Australia without their Test stars for 140 in just 31.5 overs.

There were no infamous wobbles for Pakistan, who prevailed in the 27th over.

Australia capped a sluggish series with a sloppy performance on the field. Opener Saim Ayub had an early reprieve while Adam Zampa bowled a sitter at deep square leg to relieve Abdullah Shafique as Australia faced the humiliating prospect of a first 10-wicket ODI defeat at home.

But Lance Morris, displaying his trademark pace by reaching speeds in the mid-140km/h, saved Australia from at least an unwanted place in the record books with the wickets of Shafique and Ayub in the 18th over.

Interim captain Josh Inglis decided not to use Morris until the 15th over, with all-rounder Marcus Stoinis surprisingly given the new ball alongside Spencer Johnson.

Captain Mohammed Rizwan and Babar Azam, his predecessor, were utterly ineffectual with a clash of boundaries to end a game that ended two hours before the scheduled closing time.

This ended a memorable first series for Rizwan, who bowled first without hesitation, and his decision was vindicated. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah took three wickets each while the in-form Haris Rauf finished with 2 for 24 as his sheer pace once again sent the batters into a frenzy.

Scores of batters succumbed to opposition short balls while all-rounder Cooper Connolly had to retire due to injury in the 7th after taking a hit on his left hand while trying to pull Mohammad Hasnain. He was taken for scans and did not feature in Pakistan's innings.

Pakistan's attack wisely did not get carried away by the bounce on offer as their quicks rolled lines and lengths relentlessly to completely suffocate Australia, who would once again be disappointed by their shot selection on a surface that was not a minefield. No Australian batsman scored a half-century in the entire series.

Pakistan found themselves in the unfamiliar position of favorites in a country where they had endured so much misery over the years. Their optimism was boosted by Australia making five changes after resting captain Pat Cummins, Steven Smith, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Marnus Labuschagne as they begin preparing for the first Test against India.

Australia had to change their batting order but openers Matt Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk remained at the top of the order and were desperate to shoot after struggling in the first two games.

They seemed keen to back up their extremely aggressive methods, scoring 12 runs in the opener. But things quickly went downhill when Fraser-McGurk was caught at second slip after trying to beat a long throw to Naseem.

In a dismissal, common practice in Perth, he failed to move his feet and his wicket went to folding all-rounder Aaron Hardie, a role he fills brilliantly for the Perth Scorchers in the BBL was promoted to 3rd place. Despite being on his home pitch, Hardie looked nervous, falling in a moment of indecision and edging his way into second slip to reward Afridi, who conjured up a beautiful seam move.

The pressure was on Inglis, who had already had a big day on his captaincy debut having previously been named in Australia's 13-man squad for the Perth Test against India. Inglis has often played a saving role for the Scorchers in the BBL, but he failed to get going and delivered a short lead from Naseem to Rizwan.

Short managed to get through the early suspension while aiming to further his bid to become Australia's permanent ODI opener. But on the 22nd he opted for square leg and gifted a wicket to Rauf, who was delighted with his luck.

Rauf increased his pace and got Glenn Maxwell for a duck as Australia threatened to be routed for under 100. The only momentary concern for Pakistan was Afridi grimacing in pain after suffering a blow to his left thumb while throwing at the stumps.

But he came back and faced a counterattack from Sean Abbott, who top-scored with 30 points. But Afridi ended Abbott's resistance and then knocked over Morris, which sent the large crowd of Pakistan fans in the stands into raptures, and they continued to roar throughout the afternoon.

Tristan Lavalette is a journalist based in Perth