Michael Vaughan expresses concern after Pakistan tops ‘low intensity’ Australia: “Bilateral series are in decline”

Australia has decided to give the players traveling to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy a rest for the final ODI on Sunday. Their young batting line-up fell short of expectations and was fielded to just 140 players at Perth Stadium. The bowlers also failed to put up a fight as Pakistan chased down the target in 26.5 overs with eight wickets in hand and secured the series 2-1.

Vaughan claimed that Australia lacked intensity in the ODIs against Pakistan, suggesting that the bilateral ranks were declining.

“Pakistan were absolutely fantastic but I can’t remember seeing a series where Australia lacked so much intensity. Bilateral series are on the decline, I fear. #AUSvPAK,” Vaughan wrote on X.

Pakistan defeats Australia in the final ODI to clinch the series

Meanwhile, Pakistan won the toss and elected to bowl first. The Australian batters were once again unable to prevail in front of the visitors’ pace trio consisting of Shaheen Shah Afridi (3/32), Naseem Shah (3/54) and Haris Rauf (2/24). There were no big partnerships as only Sean Abbott (30 in 41 balls, with two fours and a six) and Matthew Short (22 in 30 balls, with a boundary) reached the 20-run mark. Australia were bowled out for a dismal 140 runs in 31.5 overs.

In the run chase, Ayub (42 in 52 balls, with four boundaries and a six) and Shafique (37 in 53 balls, with a four and a six) posted an opening stand of 84 runs. Later, star duo Babar Azam (28* in 30 balls, with four boundaries) and Rizwan (30* in 27 balls, with one four and two sixes) finished the game with eight wickets and nearly 23 overs in hand.

“This is a special moment for me because we know that our nation will be happy,” Rizwan said. “They don’t always get what they expect from us as a team. “Today we are happy as a team because our nation will be happy,” he concluded.