Matthew Kuhnemann gets pumped out after Babar Azam's dismissal. PC- screengrab
Pakistan hunted down Australia in the three-match ODI series, winning it 2-1. The Shaheen Afridi-led unit sealed the bilateral by winning a low-scoring thriller ODI at Rawalpindi on Thursday.
Although Babar Azam was the top scorer for Pakistan in the third ODI, his dismissal opened the door for a comeback for the touring Australian side.
However, Shadab Khan and Abdul Samad batted together for the seventh wicket to steer Pakistan across the line by the small chase of 158 runs.
Shaheen Afridi’s men bamboozle AUS for 157 runs in 3rd ODI
The PCB, for the third time in the series, produced a low-scoring wicket that favoured the slower bowlers more than a sporting pitch.
Shaheen Afridi led from the front and picked three wickets, while the two leg-spinners, Abrar Ahmed and Shadab Khan, shared four wickets between them. Although Josh Inglis played a captain's knock (65 off 71), Australia were bowled out for 157 runs.
Babar Azam knocked out by 'ball of the year'
Replying to Australia's paltry total, the Men in Green kept losing wickets at regular intervals, but Babar Azam stood there like a rock. He batted like a dream on a turning square wicket, scoring 40 stylish runs in 84 balls.
After doing the hardwork, the former Pakistan captain was dismissed on a special delivery by Matthew Kuhnemann.
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The left-arm spinner pitched a flighted good length delivery around the leg-stump, and it spun square away from the batter to disturb the top of his off-stump. Babar missed scoring his second half-century of the series, as he returned with 125 runs in three matches - the most for Pakistan in PAK vs AUS ODIs.
Watch: Matthew Kuhnemann foxes Babar Azam with 'ball of the year'
Shadab Khan, Abdul Samad bail Pakistan out of trouble
Babar Azam was the fifth man to fall, and soon Arafat Minhas followed him back to the dugout. With 46 more runs to get, Pakistan were left in deep waters, but Shadab Khan and young Abdul Samad bailed them out.
The two batters took responsibility for being the last recognised pair and stitched a remarkable unbeaten stand of 49 runs. Their efforts not only secured a four-wicket win but also another series win against Australia in the format.
Shaheen Afridi won the Player of the Match award in the final match, while all-rounder Arafat Minhas bagged the Player of the Series award in his debut series.
What is next for Pakistan?
After the conclusion of the three-match ODI fold against Australia, Pakistan will next be seen in action in the West Indies in the two-Test away series, starting July 25. After that, they will head to England for three Test matches.
After facing a whitewash in Bangladesh, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) may relieve Shan Masood from the Test captaincy duties before the two away tours. Babar Azam and Salman Ali Agha are reportedly the front-runners for the job.
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.jpg?type=mq "Sai Sudharsan at No.3")
