AUS vs PAK 2024/25, AUS vs PAK 3rd ODI Match Report, November 10, 2024

Pakistan Batting 143 for 2 (Ayub 42, Shafique 37, Morris 2-24). Australia 140 (Abbott 30, Afridi 3-32, Naseem 3-54, Rauf 2-24) by eight wickets

But Pakistan appeared to be gaining momentum under Jason Gillespie, their Australian Test coach who is following in Kirsten’s footsteps, and were ignited by a rampant four-pronged attack that defeated an undermanned Australia without their Test stars for 140 in just 31.5 overs.

There were no infamous wobbles for Pakistan, who prevailed in the 27th over.

Interim captain Josh Inglis decided not to use Morris until the 15th over, with all-rounder Marcus Stoinis surprisingly given the new ball alongside Spencer Johnson.

Captain Mohammed Rizwan and Babar Azam, his predecessor, were utterly ineffectual with a clash of boundaries to end a game that ended two hours before the scheduled closing time.

Scores of batters succumbed to opposition short balls while all-rounder Cooper Connolly had to retire due to injury in the 7th after taking a hit on his left hand while trying to pull Mohammad Hasnain. He was taken for scans and did not feature in Pakistan’s innings.

Pakistan’s attack wisely did not get carried away by the bounce on offer as their quicks rolled lines and lengths relentlessly to completely suffocate Australia, who would once again be disappointed by their shot selection on a surface that was not a minefield. No Australian batsman scored a half-century in the entire series.

Pakistan found themselves in the unfamiliar position of favorites in a country where they had endured so much misery over the years. Their optimism was boosted by Australia making five changes after resting captain Pat Cummins, Steven Smith, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Marnus Labuschagne as they begin preparing for the first Test against India.

Australia had to change their batting order but openers Matt Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk remained at the top of the order and were desperate to shoot after struggling in the first two games.

They seemed keen to back up their extremely aggressive methods, scoring 12 runs in the opener. But things quickly went downhill when Fraser-McGurk was caught at second slip after trying to beat a long throw to Naseem.

In a dismissal, common practice in Perth, he failed to move his feet and his wicket went to folding all-rounder Aaron Hardie, a role he fills brilliantly for the Perth Scorchers in the BBL was promoted to 3rd place. Despite being on his home pitch, Hardie looked nervous, falling in a moment of indecision and edging his way into second slip to reward Afridi, who conjured up a beautiful seam move.

Short managed to get through the early suspension while aiming to further his bid to become Australia’s permanent ODI opener. But on the 22nd he opted for square leg and gifted a wicket to Rauf, who was delighted with his luck.

Rauf increased his pace and got Glenn Maxwell for a duck as Australia threatened to be routed for under 100. The only momentary concern for Pakistan was Afridi grimacing in pain after suffering a blow to his left thumb while throwing at the stumps.

But he came back and faced a counterattack from Sean Abbott, who top-scored with 30 points. But Afridi ended Abbott’s resistance and then knocked over Morris, which sent the large crowd of Pakistan fans in the stands into raptures, and they continued to roar throughout the afternoon.