First Time In 22 Years: Pakistan Register Uncommon Feat With ODI Sequence Win vs Australia

Saim Ayub hit 42 and Abdullah Shafique 37 as Pakistan raced to a commanding eight-wicket victory and their first one-day sequence win in Australia for 22 years on Sunday. After bowling out the woeful world champions for a miserly 140 at Perth Stadium, Mohammad Rizwan’s group reached their goal within the twenty seventh over. The spectacular efficiency, aided by high-quality bowling from Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf, ensured a primary ODI sequence win in Australia since 2002.

They misplaced a tense opening match in Melbourne by two wickets, however bounced again with an emphatic nine-wicket victory in Adelaide.

“It’s a special moment for me and the fans,” mentioned 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 few nice begins, too,” he added.

“The followers love us no matter whether or not we win or lose and I actually admire 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.

Shafique and Ayub began aggressively and rode their luck, with little spark from the bowlers.

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

Shafique 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 Shafique and then bowled Ayub 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 Afridi (3-32), Shah (3-54) and Rauf (2-24).

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

“It’s fairly disappointing, to be sincere,” said skipper Josh Inglis.

“I feel after most likely the primary three-quarters of the primary sport (in Melbourne) we had been completely outplayed.

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

Jake Fraser-McGurk and Matt Short once more opened, determined for runs after failing to make an affect at Melbourne and Adelaide.

But on a pitch suited to the short bowlers Fraser-McGurk as soon as extra flopped, nicking a swinging Shah supply to wicketkeeper Rizwan on seven.

Aaron Hardie, at three rather than Smith, lasted 13 balls for his 12 earlier than being caught at slip off the damaging Afridi.

That introduced Inglis to the crease, however he too departed cheaply for seven, skying a Shah bouncer that Rizwan collected to depart Australia on 56-3 within the eleventh over.

Rauf then accounted for Short (22) earlier than teenager Cooper Connolly, in solely his second ODI, was pressured to retire harm on seven after a blow to his hand.

Out-of-form Glenn Maxwell solely survived two balls with Rauf bagging him for the third time this sequence, caught at level by Ayub, whereas Marcus Stoinis added simply eight to the rating as Australia stumbled to 88-6.

Abbott and Adam Zampa (13) shared a helpful 30-run partnership earlier than the tail was mopped up.

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