Daily Times

Saim Ayub hit 42 and Abdullah Shafique 37 as Pakistan raced to a commanding eight-wicket victory and their first One-Day International (ODI) series win in Australia after 22 years on Sunday.

After bowling out the woeful world champions for a miserly 140 at Perth Stadium, Mohammad Rizwan’s team reached their target in the 27th over.

The impressive performance, aided by high-quality bowling from Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf, ensured a first ODI series win in Australia since 2002.

They lost a tense opening match in Melbourne by two wickets but bounced back with an emphatic nine-wicket victory in Adelaide.

Naseem and Shaheen both claimed three wickets as an understrength Australia set Pakistan just 141 to win.

Skipper Mohammad Rizwan won the toss and sent in the hosts to bat first.

They proved no match for a high-quality attack led by Shaheen (3-32) and Naseem (3-54), with support from Haris (2-24).

Sean Abbott top scored with 30 before they were bundled out in the 32nd over for just 140.

Australia were without Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne, along with pace trio Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc who are being rested ahead of the Test series against India.

For the third consecutive match, Jake Fraser-McGurk and Matt Short opened the batting, desperate for runs after failing to make an impact at Melbourne and Adelaide.

But on a pitch suited to the quick bowlers Fraser-McGurk again flopped, nicking a swinging Shah delivery to wicketkeeper Rizwan on seven.

Aaron Hardie, promoted to three in place of Smith, lasted 13 balls for his 12 before being caught at slip off the dangerous Afridi.

That brought stand-in skipper Josh Inglis to the crease, but he too departed cheaply for seven, skying a Shah bouncer that Rizwan collected to leave Australia on 56-3 in the 11th over.

Rauf, who took 5-29 in Adelaide, then accounted for Short (22) before youngster Cooper Connolly, in only his second ODI, was forced to retire hurt on seven after a nasty blow to his hand.

The out-of-form Glenn Maxwell only survived two balls with Rauf bagging him for the third time this series, caught at point by Saim Ayub, while Marcus Stoinis added just eight to the score as Australia stumbled to 88-6 in the 21st over.

Abbott and Adam Zampa (13) shared a handy 30-run partnership before the tail was mopped up.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday felicitated Pakistan Cricket Team on winning the one-day international (ODI) series against Aussies eleven at their home ground in Australia.

The president lauded the national team for achieving the remarkable triumph in Australia after a gap of 22 years span, President Secretariat Press Wing said in a press release.

The prime minister termed it as the happiest occasion for the nation because the national team achieved victory in ODI series in Australia after a gap of 22 years, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.

The bowlers and batters displayed an excellent performance against Australia, he said, adding the members of the team and management worked hard for which they deserved such victory.

Separately, on X account, the prime minister posted, “Big Day for Pakistani Cricket! Congratulations to the Pakistan cricket team on their historic ODI series victory against Australia. After 22 years, Pakistan as defeated Australia on their home ground, and that too, in a convincing manner.”

He further posted that this victory was the result of unity and teamwork of their brilliant players; as well as efforts of coaching staff and the PCB under the able leadership of Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.

“May this be the start of a great and glorious period for Pakistani Cricket Team”, he added.