After losing the first ODI, Pakistan came back strongly in the series. They have won the remaining two games to secure the series against the Aussies. Imamul Haq and Pakistan’s captain Babar Azam dominated every match in this series. Their brilliant performances helped Pakistan to win the first ODI series against Australia at home since 1988. Babar Azam has won the Player of the Series award as he is the highest run-scorer in the series.
Match Report
Yesterday, Pakistan and Australia faced each other in the series-deciding match at the Gaddafi Stadium. Captain Babar Azam won the toss for Pakistan and decided to bowl first. So, Travis Head and Aaron Finch started the innings for Australia. But, due to the aggression of Pakistani bowlers, both batters couldn’t survive on the pitch. Opener Travis Head lost the wicket to Shaheen Afridi in the very first ball of the innings. In the next over, Haris Rauf picked up the wicket of the Aussie captain, Aaron Finch. Both openers had gone back to the pavilion without scoring a run for Australia.
Australia lost their first three wickets in six runs as Marnus Labuschagne departed in the 6th over. Then, Ben McDermott and Marcus Stoinis tried to make resistance. They made a partnership of 53 runs for the team. However, both players couldn’t score big runs. Ben McDermott added 36 runs on the scoreboard, while Stoinis departed in 19 runs. It looked like Australia could become all-out before scoring 200 runs. But Alex Carey, Cameron Green, and Sean Abbot fought for their lives in the lower order. Carey scored a half-century in this match. Meanwhile, Sean Abbot missed the half-century only for one run. However, Australia hardly crossed 200 runs and set the target of 211 runs for Pakistan.
Chasing the small target, Pakistan started their innings comfortably. Opener Imam-ul-Haq and Fakhar Zaman were very relaxed on the pitch. Unfortunately, Fakhar Zaman lost the wicket to Nathan Ellis in the 4th over. After that, Imam-ul-Haq made a brilliant partnership with the new batsman, Babar Azam. They successfully chased the target within 38 overs. Moreover, both remained not out in this innings. Imam-ul-Haq scored 89 runs, while Babar Azam picked up his second century in this innings. Relying on these two players, Pakistan won the 3rd match and sealed the ODI series against Australia.