Pakistan 143 for 2 (Ayub 42, Shafique 37, Morris 2-24) won Australia 140 (Abbott 30, Afridi 3-32, Naseem 3-54, Rauf 2-24) by eight wickets
But Pakistan seemed galvanized under Jason Gillespie, their Australian Test coach who is taking Kirsten’s place, and were fired up by a rampaging four-pronged attack that bowled out an Australia shorthanded without their Test stars for 140 in just 31.5 overs. .
There were no noticeable wobbles for Pakistan, who returned home in the 27th over.
Caretaker captain Josh Inglis opted not to use Morris until the 15th over and all-rounder Marcus Stoinis surprisingly received the new ball alongside Spencer Johnson.
Captain Mohammed Rizwan and Babar Azam, his predecessor, were unfazed with a flurry of boundaries to complete a match that ended two hours before the scheduled close.
Numerous batsmen succumbed to hostile short balls, while all-rounder Cooper Connolly had to retire injured in the 7th over after taking a blow to his left hand while trying to pull Mohammad Hasnain. He was taken for scans and did not take part in Pakistan’s innings.
Pakistan’s attack smartly did not get carried away with the bounce on offer as their quicks bowled relentless line and lengths to completely stifle Australia, who would once again be disappointed with their shot selections on a surface that was not a pitch. mined. No Australian batsman scored a half-century throughout the series.
Pakistan entered the unfamiliar position of favorite in a country where it has endured so much misery over the years. Their optimism was boosted when Australia made five changes after captain Pat Cummins, Steven Smith, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Marnus Labuschagne were rested as they begin to prepare for the first Test against India.
Australia had to readjust their batting order but openers Matt Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk remained at the top of the order and desperate to fire after struggling in the first two games.
They seemed determined to back up their ultra-aggressive methods and scored 12 runs in the opener. But things quickly went downhill with Fraser-McGurk caught at second slip after attempting to play a good length delivery from Naseem.
He failed to move his feet on a dismissal that is common in Perth and his wicket brought into play all-rounder Aaron Hardie, who was elevated to No.3 in a role he plays with aplomb for the Perth Scorchers in the BBL. Even though he was at home, Hardie looked nervous and fell into a moment of indecision and took a second slip in reward for Afridi, who conjured up a beautiful seam move.
Short managed to overcome the initial barrage as he set his sights on advancing his bid to become Australia’s permanent ODI opener. But on the 22nd he chose square leg to give a wicket to Rauf, who was feeling giddy with his good luck.
Rauf increased his pace and claimed Glenn Maxwell for a duck as Australia stared down the barrel of being beaten for less than 100. The only momentary worry for Pakistan was that Afridi grimaced in agony after taking a blow to his left thumb at throw a shot at the stumps.
But he came back and faced a counter-attack from Sean Abbott, who top-scored with 30. But Afridi broke down Abbott’s resistance and then bowled Morris to send the large contingent of Pakistan fans in the stands into ecstasy and they continued to roar. through the afternoon.
Tristan Lavalette is a journalist based in Perth.
