Pakistan edge past Australia in third ODI to clinch series 2-1

Pakistan beat Australia by four wickets in the third ODI at Lahore’s iconic Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday to clinch the series 2-1. Chasing a 158-run target for victory, Pakistan crossed the finish line with four wickets and 49 balls remaining. Babar Azam was the highest scorer for the Green Shirts, who contributed a valuable 40 off 84 balls, striking three boundaries. Shadab Khan made an unbeaten 29 off 42 balls with the help of two boundaries to take the side over the finish line. Maaz Sadaqat contributed 27 off 26 balls, hitting five fours. Abdul Samad made an unbeaten 18 off 30 balls and Salman Ali Agha 15 off 24 balls. Matthew Kuhnemann bagged three wickets, while Nathan Ellis, Matthew Short and Matt Renshaw took one wicket apiece. Opting to bat first, Australia kept losing wickets at crucial stages and were bundled out for 157 in 42 overs. Skipper Josh Inglis was the top scorer for the visitors, who made 65 off 71 balls, hitting eight fours and one maximum. Marnus Labuschagne and Alex Cary contributed 19 each, while Adam Zampa made 10 runs. No other batters could enter the double figures. Shaheen Shah Afridi bagged three wickets, Shadab Khan and Abrar Ahmed two each, and Haris Rauf one, while Marnus Labuschagne and Nathan Eliss were run out. Australia outplay Pakistan in second ODI to level series 1-1