In a historic ODI series win, Pakistan’s national cricket team defeated Australia in the third match of their tour, with a dominant performance that saw them comfortably chase down a target of 141 runs. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, congratulated the team for their exceptional achievement, particularly their victory on Australian soil. He commended the players for their solid teamwork, emphasizing how beating Australia in their own backyard is a remarkable accomplishment.
Naqvi highlighted the pivotal contributions of Pakistan’s bowlers, including Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Haris Rauf, who were instrumental in restricting Australia to just 140 runs. The fast bowlers kept the pressure on throughout, with Afridi taking three wickets and Naseem claiming three as well, leaving Australia struggling to form any partnerships.
The chase, set at 141, was achieved with ease in just 26.5 overs, thanks to a strong partnership between Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. Rizwan remained unbeaten on 29 runs off 24 balls, while Azam contributed 23 runs. Their 58-run stand ensured Pakistan reached the target with 4 wickets remaining.
The win was a testament to Pakistan’s balanced approach, with both the bowling and batting units stepping up. Naqvi praised the team’s disciplined batting, crediting Saeem Ayub and Abdullah Shafiq for their solid performances in the middle. Pakistan’s bowlers also earned praise for their relentless efforts that restricted Australia to a modest total.
Naqvi concluded by offering words of inspiration to the team, stating that passion, hard work, and determination are the keys to success. With this win, Pakistan has now taken a crucial step toward winning the series, further bolstering their strong showing in Australia.
Earlier in the match, after opting to field, Pakistan’s bowlers took control. Afridi and Naseem Shah made early breakthroughs, reducing Australia to 52/2 after just 9.3 overs. The Australians never managed to recover from this pressure, despite a resilient 30 from Sean Abbott and some positive stroke play from Matthew Short. Shaheen’s pinpoint delivery to dismiss Aaron Hardie was a standout moment, leaving Australia reeling.
With Pakistan’s bowlers in full command and a win probability of over 96%, the chase never seemed in doubt. This victory now places Pakistan on the brink of clinching the series, as they head into the final stages of the tour with a commanding lead.
