Pakistan stunned the cricket world on Sunday, breaking a 22-year drought to win the One-Day International (ODI) series against Australia in a showdown in Perth. In a decisive performance, Pakistan’s pace attack thundered through Australia’s batting lineup, bowling the hosts out for a meager 140 runs.
With the toss in their favor, Pakistan captain Babar Azam opted to field, a decision that would unleash a pace assault few could have anticipated. Shaheen Shah Afridi, back with a vengeance after a brief injury, set the tone early, ripping through the top order with unyielding aggression. Supported by speedster Haris Rauf, who continued his dream series by snaring the in-form Glenn Maxwell for the third time, Pakistan’s bowlers never relented. Naseem Shah and Mohammad Hasnain joined the onslaught, each grabbing key wickets and amplifying the pressure on Australia.
In a dramatic display of Pakistan’s relentless accuracy and power, Australia crumbled. With their star batters struggling to handle the visitors’ fiery spells, Australia recorded their lowest ODI score against Pakistan—a mere 140 runs.
Australia’s hopes rested momentarily on Sean Abbott, who fought back with a top score of 30, but his lone resistance was far from enough. The rest of Australia’s lineup was visibly shaken, unable to counter Pakistan’s brutal pace and intensity.
When it was Pakistan’s turn to bat, they chased down the modest target of 141 with confidence, losing only two wickets along the way to seal the historic win.
This emphatic victory not only highlighted Pakistan’s mastery on foreign pitches but also underscored their formidable bowling depth. Each bowler showcased unique strengths, from Afridi’s lethal left-arm pace to Rauf’s blistering speed, Naseem’s movement, and Hasnain’s control. Together, they embodied a synergy that Australia simply couldn’t match.
With this monumental win, Pakistan has proven themselves as a force to be reckoned with, rekindling memories of their past glories and hinting at a bright future for Pakistan cricket on the world stage.
Haris Rauf has been named man of the match and man of the series for his impressive performance with the ball.
