Pakistan 143 for 2 (Ayub 42, Shafique 37, Morris 2-24) defeated Australia 140 (Abbott 30, Afridi 3-32, Naseem 3-54, Rauf 2-24) by eight wickets
In a thrilling finale to their ODI series, Pakistan claimed an emphatic eight-wicket victory over Australia on the lively pitch of Perth’s Optus Stadium. This win marked Pakistan’s first ODI series victory in Australia since 2002, a rare achievement that capped a remarkable tour filled with challenges and a stirring comeback by the visitors. This historic victory comes as a high point for Pakistan cricket, especially as the team faced considerable setbacks and internal upheavals leading up to the series.
The series opened with a nail-biting loss for Pakistan at the MCG, but the team staged an incredible comeback in Adelaide, followed by a dominant performance in Perth, to secure the series 2-1. Pakistan’s clinical gameplay exposed the vulnerabilities of a shorthanded Australian team, leaving the reigning world champions with several questions as they prepare for the upcoming Champions Trophy in 2025.
This victory was especially significant given that Pakistan’s white-ball head coach, Gary Kirsten, had departed just a week before the tour amid controversies and reported internal unrest. The team, however, found a new resolve under Jason Gillespie, their Australian Test coach who took over coaching duties for this series. Gillespie, renowned for his sharp cricketing insight, brought a renewed focus to the team’s approach, inspiring a cohesive and formidable performance.
Pakistan’s attack was led by a powerful four-pronged pace unit that relentlessly dismantled the Australian batting lineup, restricting them to a mere 140 runs in 31.5 overs. Despite the absence of Australia’s Test regulars, including stars like Pat Cummins, Steven Smith, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc, Pakistan’s fast bowlers dominated the match, with Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf delivering a masterclass in pace and precision.
In response, Pakistan’s batsmen faced no notable setbacks, cruising to victory in just 27 overs. While Australia’s fielding errors and lackluster energy reflected a tired side, Pakistan’s confidence grew with every ball. Lance Morris, Australia’s speedster who consistently clocked speeds above 140 kph, salvaged a sliver of pride for the hosts by dismissing openers Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique in quick succession. However, it was too little, too late as Pakistan romped home with ease.
The Match in Detail
Australia, coming off a sluggish performance in the earlier matches, appeared unfocused and disjointed on the field. Their slow start gave Pakistan’s openers ample opportunity to build momentum. Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique were both granted second chances after critical dropped catches by Australia’s fielders, including a costly spill by Adam Zampa at deep square leg.
Morris’ efforts to contain Pakistan’s batsmen were undermined by Australia’s conservative strategy. Interim captain Josh Inglis held Morris back until the 15th over, opting instead to open with allrounder Marcus Stoinis and newcomer Spencer Johnson. While Morris showed glimpses of brilliance by dismissing Pakistan’s openers in one over, Pakistan’s remaining batsmen were unperturbed.
Skipper Mohammed Rizwan and former captain Babar Azam navigated Australia’s bowlers with ease, displaying a flurry of well-placed boundaries. Their steady partnership closed the match two hours ahead of the scheduled finish time. For Rizwan, this win marked a memorable series as captain; his decision to bowl first proved pivotal in setting the tone for Pakistan’s dominant performance.
Pakistan’s Pacers: A Force to Be Reckoned With
From the outset, Pakistan’s bowling unit was relentless. Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah led the attack, taking three wickets each with deliveries that showcased their skill in exploiting the bouncy Perth surface. Rauf’s blistering pace left Australian batsmen visibly unsettled, as he finished with figures of 2 for 24, a testament to his aggressive bowling.
The Australian lineup crumbled against Pakistan’s short-pitched deliveries. Allrounder Cooper Connolly’s attempt to fend off a short ball ended with him suffering an injury to his left hand, forcing him to retire hurt after scoring only seven runs. Taken off for scans, Connolly did not return for Australia’s innings, further diminishing their already weakened lineup.
In contrast, Pakistan’s bowlers capitalized on the pitch’s bounce without overindulging in short deliveries. Their disciplined line and length forced Australia into poor shot selections on a surface that, while challenging, was not impossible to bat on. Australia’s lack of half-centuries across the series spoke volumes about their inability to adapt to the conditions.
Australia’s Struggles and the Captaincy Debut of Josh Inglis
The home team entered the match with an experimental lineup, resting several of their key players ahead of the Test series against India. This move reshuffled their batting order, with Matt Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk opening, only to face an uphill battle against Pakistan’s fiery pacers. Fraser-McGurk was dismissed early, caught at second slip as he attempted an ambitious drive against Naseem Shah’s length ball.
Aaron Hardie, promoted to number three and playing on his home turf, looked unsteady and was dismissed for failing to judge a moving delivery from Afridi. This brought Josh Inglis to the crease, who was under pressure in his first appearance as captain. Inglis had recently been named to Australia’s squad for the upcoming Test series, but his attempt to rescue the innings ended with a misjudged short ball from Naseem, caught by Rizwan.
Although Short showed brief promise with an aggressive start, he was unable to convert his efforts into a substantial score. A mistimed shot off Rauf’s delivery sent him back to the pavilion after scoring 22. Rauf then dismissed Glenn Maxwell for a duck, pushing Australia into a precarious position with a score below 100.
Australia’s lower order offered minimal resistance, with Sean Abbott emerging as the highest scorer at 30. Afridi soon ended Abbott’s innings, dispatching the remaining batsmen and sealing the victory for Pakistan. The large contingent of Pakistani fans in the stands celebrated jubilantly as their team secured a historic series victory.
Looking Forward: Challenges for Australia, Triumph for Pakistan
Australia’s lackluster performance across the series highlighted significant gaps in their ODI team, particularly in handling aggressive bowling on bouncy pitches. Their decision to rest key players left them vulnerable against a well-prepared Pakistan side, and their backup players struggled to rise to the challenge. With the Champions Trophy just over a year away, Australia will need to address these shortcomings and establish a more consistent strategy for their limited-overs format.
For Pakistan, the series win was a morale-boosting success and a testament to the resilience and skill of their players, particularly their pace attack. Pakistan’s success under Gillespie’s interim coaching brought cohesion to a team often plagued by internal challenges. Rizwan’s confident leadership also proved to be a strong asset, as his strategic decisions and calm presence set the stage for Pakistan’s victories.
This series win reaffirms Pakistan’s potential as a formidable force in international cricket. With their bowlers in peak form and their batsmen showing maturity under pressure, Pakistan has laid a solid foundation as they look toward future international tournaments. This success, coupled with the experience gained from playing on Australian soil, will be invaluable for Pakistan as they gear up for the global stage.
Pakistan’s 2-1 series win over Australia is a historic achievement that reflects a broader narrative of resurgence within the team. From coaching upheavals to a thrilling revival on the field, Pakistan’s journey through this tour has been marked by determination and resilience. Their ability to overcome formidable obstacles and triumph over a powerful opponent in unfamiliar conditions speaks volumes about the team’s growth and potential.
Australia, meanwhile, faces tough questions as they seek to recalibrate and strengthen their squad ahead of key tournaments. Their experimentation with new players has yet to yield the desired results, and the absence of their senior Test players was felt throughout the series. The lessons from this series will undoubtedly shape Australia’s strategy in the coming years, as they aim to avoid similar setbacks in future ODI encounters.
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