Pakistan Australia ODI Series
3rd Match Played at Lahore on 2 April 2022
Brief Scorecard:
Pakistan 214/1 in 37.5 Overs (Babar Azam 105* , Imam Ul Haq 89* ) beat
Australia 210 All Out in 41.5 Overs (Alex Carey 56, Sean Abbott 49, Ben McDermott 36, Cameron Green 34, Haris Rauf 3/39, Mohammad Wasim 3/40, Shaheen Shah Afridi 2/40) by 9 wickets.
Pakistan won the series 2-1
Player of the Match: Babar Azam.
Contrary to the nature of contest of all previous matches of the historic tour of Australia in Pakistan after two decades Pakistan completely routed Australia in the series-deciding last match.
Very incisive and penetrative Pakistan bowling attack Australia huffed and puffed in reaching 210 all out in 41.5 overs. Whatever be the case there was no believe of Australia restricting Pakistan below that target during innings break. Two quality inform batsmen Babar Azam (105*) and Imam Ul Haq (89*) made it cakewalk in cruising over the target. Pakistan won the match by 9 wickets scoring 214/1 with 73 balls to spare. Pakistan won the first ODI series against Australia, first ODI series win against Australia in 40 years.
The depleted Australian team without frontline mainstream pace attack and some leading batsmen surprised strong Pakistan winning the first match comfortably. Pakistan bounced back with a milestone setting second match win chasing 348. The series third match was made absolutely one way traffic by brilliant Pakistan firing in all cylinders. It was almost rewinding of events of Pakistan winning the last ODI series against Australia 20 years before. History repeats itself.
Babar won the toss and without any hesitation let his bowling unit going for shoot out. Shaheen Afridi cleaned up in form Travis Head on the very first ball of the match. Haris Rauf also in his first over trapped captain Flinch LBW. Australians were 0/2 within the wink of an eye. Very strong Pakistan bowling unit did not late tourist any respite. Wickets kept on tumbling. Alex Carey (56), Sean Abbott (49), Ben McDermott (36) and Cameron Green (34) tried resurrecting. But relentless Haris Rauf (3/39), Mohammad Wasim Junior (3/40) and Shaheen Shah Afridi (2/40) proved too hot to handle. 210 was at least 70 runs too less for making it a contest.
During Pakistan reply after flamboyant Fakhar Zaman was removed early. Two prolific in form batsmen Babar Azam and Shaheen came together. The only thought was whether it would be hat trick of century by Imam or a double for Amazing Babar Azam. The target was too less for both reaching the milestone. The two matched strokes for stroke in their yet another history rewriting 190 runs unbroken 2nd wicket partnership. Babar raced to an unbeaten 105 while Imam had to remain content scoring unconquered 89. It was 16th ODI century by Babar and 5th as captain. Pakistan won the match by 9 wickets with 73 balls to spare.
Their position in ICC ODI Championship is elevating. Their possibility for direct qualification to ICC World Cup 2023 in India is brightening. For many reasons the historic series between Australia and Pakistan after two decades would be remembered for a long time. Australia of course won the Test Series 1-0 after see saw battle.
BDST: 1205 HRS, APR 03, 2022
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