LAHORE, June 4: Pakistan secured a 2-1 one-day international series victory over Australia after defeating the visitors by four wickets in the third and final ODI at Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday. Pakistan bowled Australia out for 157 before reaching the target with 49 balls remaining.
Australia collapse hands Pakistan ODI series triumph
Australia elected to bat first after winning the toss but suffered a dramatic collapse after a promising start. Stand-in captain Josh Inglis top-scored with 65 from 71 deliveries and helped his side reach 119-3. However, the visitors lost their final seven wickets for just 38 runs and were dismissed for 157 in 42 overs.
Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi led the bowling attack with figures of 3-30, while spinners Abrar Ahmed and Shadab Khan claimed two wickets each on a turning surface in Lahore.
Shaheen Afridi and spinners restrict Australia
Shaheen struck early to remove opener Matthew Short and later dismissed key middle-order batters as Pakistan maintained pressure throughout the innings. Abrar Ahmed returned figures of 2-19 and Shadab Khan took 2-28 to trigger Australia’s collapse.
Australia’s total was their lowest score of the series and left Pakistan requiring only 158 runs for victory.
Pakistan vs Australia ODI decider
Pakistan’s chase was not entirely straightforward on a difficult batting surface. Former captain Babar Azam anchored the innings with 40 runs from 84 deliveries before falling to left-arm spinner Matt Kuhnemann, who finished with three wickets.
With the match still in the balance, Shadab Khan produced an unbeaten 29 while Abdul Samad remained not out on 18 as Pakistan reached 161-6 in 41.5 overs to seal victory.
Third consecutive ODI series win over Australia
The result gave Pakistan a 2-1 series victory after winning the opening ODI in Rawalpindi by five wickets before Australia levelled the contest with a 41-run win in the second match in Lahore.
According to match reports, the triumph marked Pakistan’s third consecutive bilateral ODI series victory over Australia.
Pakistan will take confidence from the performance of their bowling unit and middle order as they build towards future international assignments, while the Pakistan ODI series triumph in Lahore provides another significant result against the reigning world champions.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, June 5, 2026
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