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29 March 2024

Pakistan vs Australia 3rd ODI: Australia win thriller by 1 run

Published
By Cricket Correspondent and Agencies

Glenn Maxwell bowled a maiden final over and got two wickets to seal a thrilling one-run win for Australia in the third and final one-day international against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.

Chasing a modest 232-run target, Pakistan needed just two runs in the final over but Maxwell (2-41) kept his cool dismissing Sohail Tanvir (10) with the second ball of the 50th over and Mohammad Irfan (nought) with the final ball to complete Australia's 3-0 series whitewash.

It was Australia's third cleansweep against Pakistan after a 3-0 win in Pakistan in 1998 and a 5-0 triumph on home ground four years ago.

Pakistan once again lived up to their reputation of throwing away a winning position as they needed just 28 runs to win with four wickets in hand at one stage.

Tanvir and Zulfiqar Babar (14 not out) took them to within two runs of the win but Australia staged a strong comeback.

For Pakistan, Asad Shafiq hit a solid 50 while Sohaib Maqsood made 34.

Pakistan were without captain Misbah-ul-Haq who surprisingly dropped himself after a poor run of scores, handing the captaincy to Shahid Afridi.

With the series already in the bag, Australia rested paceman Mitchell Johnson and off-spinner Nathan Lyon who shared nine wickets in the first two matches.

That significantly weakened the bowling attack as Pakistan raced to a solid 56-run start with Ahmed Shahzad (26) and Sarfraz Ahmed (32) batting with confidence.

But left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty provided Australia with a breakthrough when he bowled Shahzad with his first delivery.

Pakistan lost two wickets at 80 with Ahmed run out and Fawad Alam scooping a catch off a miscued sweep off Doherty with slip fielder Smith running from slip to leg-slip to grab the ball.

Shafiq and Sohaib Maqsood, one of four changes in Pakistan side, added an invaluable 74 for the fourth wicket before Pakistan lost three wickets in the space of just 20 runs.

Maqsood was caught off paceman Kane Richardson (2-36) who also had Afridi (two) and Shafiq fell to James Faulkner.

Umar Amin (19) and Anwar Ali (14) brought Pakistan close to the win but both fell within four runs of each other, leaving Pakistan at 208-8.

Australia had got off to a confident start of 48 before Aaron Finch miscued a drive and was caught at mid-off for 18.

Steve Smith added an invaluable 54 for the second wicket with Warner as Australia tried to consolidate the innings.

Warner hit spinner Zulfiqar Babar for six to reach his ninth half-century off 41 balls before he gave a return catch to Afridi.

Australian skipper George Bailey fell for nought while Maxwell holed out off Afridi for 20.

Paceman Tanvir then had Smith, who hit an impressive 77, Phil Hughes (five) and James Faulkner (33) to finish with 3-40 in his ten overs while Afridi finished with 2-44.

Both teams now play a two-match Test series with the first starting in Dubai from October 22.

PAKISTAN INNINGS

Australia snatched victory from the jaws of defeat against Pakistan to win a nerve-tingling match and the ODI series 3-0 by one run in Abu Dhabi on Sunday night.

After doing well to restrict Australia to 231-9, Pakistan were cruising to victory before imploding once again.

Needing two off the last over by Maxwell, Tanvir was bowled second ball while last man Irfan failed to get bat to ball before skying the final one.

Pakistan literally grabbed defeat from the jaws of victory losing seven wickets for 76 runs.

Irfan swings and misses before skying the final ball of the match as Pakistan are all out for 230.

Mohammad Irfan c Faulkner b Maxwell 0 (4b 0x4 0x6)

Tanvir is bowled by Maxwell going for a big swing with Pakistan needing two to win. Pak 230-8 in 49.2 overs.

Sohail Tanvir b Maxwell 10 (15b 0x4 1x6)

Tanvir strikes a massive blow lofting Maxwell over long-off. Pak 222-8 in 48 overs.

Babar gets a crucial boundary flicking Faulkner to fine leg after having escaped being run out as no one appealed. Pak 215-8 in 47 overs.

Pakistan are imploding again as Faulkner removing Ali who falls to a brilliant catch at point by Maxwell. Pak 208-8 in 46.1 overs.

Anwar Ali c Maxwell b Faulkner 14 (28b 0x4 1x6)

Starc strikes with a peach of a delivery that jagged back into Amin and castled him. Pak 204-7 in 44.4 overs.

Umar Amin b Starc 19 (27b 1x4 0x6)

Amin pulls Faulkner to midwicket beating the diving fielder on the boundary. Pak 196-6 in 42 overs.

SIX! Anwar clubs Faulkner straight down the ground for a massive six to close the gap. Pak 184-6 in 40 overs.

Afridi goes as Smith hold a skier off Richardson after having scooped a boundary earlier in the over. Pak 174-6 in 37.4 overs.

Shahid Afridi c Smith b Richardson 6 (12b 1x4 0x6)

Faulkner strikes with the first delivery after the drinks interval trapping Shafiq leg before. Pak 160-5 in 34.2 overs.

Asad Shafiq lbw b Faulkner 50 (73b 5x4 0x6)

Shafiq completes his eighth ODI half century. Pak 160-4 in 34 overs.

OUT! Maqsood falls to the short ball trap laid by Richardson with Warner taking a good catch to break the partnership. Pak 154-4 in 32.4 overs.

Sohaib Maqsood c Warner b Richardson 34 (46b 2x4 1x6)

BIG OVER! Doherty goes for 14 as Maqsood clubs a six and a boundary. Pak 151-3 in 32 overs.

Maqsood slog sweeps Doherty for a boundary. Pak 135-3 in 30 overs.

Shafiq slog sweeps Maxwell for a boundary to break the shackles. Pak 127-3 in 28 overs.

Pakistan need 125 to win at the halfway stage. Pak 107-3 in 25 overs.

Shafiq lofts Doherty to the midwicket fence to bring up the 100 of the innings. Pak 104-3 in 24 overs.

Doherty bowls a maiden to Shafiq. Pak 93-3 in 22 overs.

BRILLIANT! Smith moves brilliantly from slip to leg in anticipation to take a catch as Alam goes for a duck. Pak 80-3 in 17.5 overs.

Fawad Alam c Smith b Doherty 0 (4b 0x4 0x6)

RUN OUT! Pakistan lose their second wicket as Sarfraz fails to make his ground. Pak 80-2 in 17.1 overs.

Sarfraz Ahmed run out 32 (39b 2x4 0x6)

Shafiq pulls Doherty to midwicket for a boundary. Pak 76-1 in 16 overs.

Shafiq opens his account by cracking a boundary off Doherty. Pak 60-1 in 12 overs.

BOWLED! Doherty strikes with his first delivery castling Shehzad who attempts to cut him misreading the line. Pak 56-1 in 11.1 overs.

Ahmed Shehzad b Doherty 26 (41b 3x4 0x6)

LIFE! Shehzad (20) is dropped by Adams off Faulkner and lofts him over extra cover for a boundary. Pak 47-0 in 10 overs.

Sarfaraz lofts Maxwell over long-on for a boundary. Pak 43-0 in 9 overs.

Shehzad gets cracking with two consecutive boundaries through the covers off Faulkner. Pak 35-0 in 8 overs.

Sarfaraz hits the first boundary of the innings driving Starc sweetly through the covers. Pak 14-0 in 4 overs.

Starc bowls a maiden to Shehzad as Pakistan begin their run chase.

AUSRALIA INNINGS

Afridi-led Pakistan have restricted Australia to 231-9 despite half centuries from Warner (56) and Smith (77).

They were got a solid start after opting to bat first and were perfectly placed to up the tempo of the innings at 138-3 in the 30th over.

But Pakistan clawed back to put the brakes through spinners Babar and Afridi in particular.

Tanvir was the most successful bowler claiming three for 40 while Ali also gave good support to contain Australia.

Richardson picks up a boundary off the final ball of the innings but Australia have been restricted to 231-9.

ANOTHER CATCH! Faulkner smashed Irfan for a six in the previous but could not clear the fence this time. Aus 221-9 in 49.1 overs.

James Faulkner c Umar Amin b Sohail Tanvir 33 (42b 1x4 1x6)

RUN OUT! Irfan strikes with a direct hit on his follow through to dismiss Starc. Aus 220-8 in 48.5 overs.

Mitchell Starc run out 5 (7b 0x4 0x6)

Afridi finishes with superb figures of 10-1-44-2. Aus 211-7 in 48 overs.

OUT! Tanvir strikes knocking the stumps of Smith who departs after a laboured half century. Aus 199-7 in 45.4 overs.

Steven Smith b Sohail Tanvir 77 (105b 3x4 0x6)

Babar also completes an excellent spell with figures of 10-0-42-1. Aus 184-6 in 44 overs.

Anwar Ali completes a wonderful spell returning figures of 10-0-41-1.

Smith hits the first boundary in 82 balls easing to the fine leg as Ali strays on the leg side. Aus 177-6 in 42 overs.

It remains to be seen how much Australia can get in the last 10 over to set Pakistan a decent target on a batting strip.

The boundaries have dried up as Pakistan have clawed their way back with Australia scoring only nine runs for the loss of two wickets in the Batting Powerplay. Aus 165-6 in 40 overs.

RUN OUT! Haddin is caught napping by a direct hit. Aus 159-6 in 36.5 overs.

Brad Haddin run out 2 (6b 0x4 0x6)

OUT! Tanvir traps Hughes leg before with Australia being unsuccessful with the review. Aus 157-5 in 35.3 overs.

Phil Hughes lbw b Sohail Tanvir 5 (14b 0x4 0x6)

Australia will be looking to step up the ante as the Batting Powerplay begins. Aus 156-4 in 35 overs.

Smith completes a sedate half century, only his second, using his feet to pick up a single off Babar. Aus 150-4 in 33 overs.

GREAT CATCH! Amin takes a superb catch as Maxwell attempts to swing Afridi into the crowd. Aus 138-4 in 29.4 overs.

Glenn Maxwell c Umar Amin b Shahid Afridi 20 (22b 1x4 0x6)

Maxwell hits the first boundary in 62 balls with a pick-up shot off Afridi which almost clears the ropes. Aus 131-3 in 28 overs.

It's evenly poised at the halfway stage of the Australia innings with Pakistan clawing their way back. Aus 112-3 in 25 overs.

DOUBLE BLOW!
Australia are reeling just a little as Bailey slices Irfan to point. Aus 103-3 in 22.2 overs.

George Bailey c Ahmed Shehzad b Mohammad Irfan 0 (3b 0x4 0x6)

OUT! Afridi has struck with his golden arm in his second over as Warner chips a return catch. Aus 102-2 in 21.4 overs.

David Warner c and b Shahid Afridi 56 (63b 6x4 1x6)

The 50 partnership between Warner and Smith has comein 59 balls. Aus 100-1 in 21 overs.

Afridi replaces Babar after a spell of 5-0-28-0. Aus 97-1 in 20 overs.

FIFTY! Warner launches Babar into orbit to reach his half century in style for the first maximum of the match. Aus 86-1 in 18 overs.

Warner survives a run out attempt scrambling for a single with Alam being just wide with the throw. Aus 78-1 in 17 overs.

Warner comes down the track and slams Babar through the covers to break the shackles. Aus 74-1 in 16 overs.

Australia have been pegged back somewhat with the last five overs producing 20 runs. Aus 68-1 in 15 overs.

BOUNDARIES! Smith gets going by whipping Babar for a couple of boundaries. Aus 61-1 in 12 overs.

OUT! Ali draws first blood as Finch is deceived by a slower ball and chips to Irfan at mid-on. Aus 48-1 in 10.3 overs.

Aaron Finch c Mohammad Irfan b Anwar Ali 18 (34b 3x4 0x6)

Australia are off to a solid start on a fast-paced outfield. Aus 48-0 in 10 overs.

Warner drives Ali through the covers for a delightful boundary. Aus 47-0 in 9 overs.

Anwar Ali replaces Irfan after an opening spell of 4-0-28-0.

BIZARRE! Misbah comes on a substitute for Tanvir while Pakistan make their first bowling change.

MAIDEN! Tanvir bowls a maiden to Warner which is appreciated by regular captain Misbah who is sitting in the dug out. Au 40-0 in 8 overs.

Warner is on a roll punching Irfan throught the covers and flicking to square leg for consecutive boundaries. Aus 40-0 in 7 overs.

Finch cracks Tanvir through midwicket for another boundary. Aus 29-0 in 6 overs.

Shehzad displays great commitment with a sliding effort but fails to prevent a boundary after Warner finds the gap on the off. Aus 25-0 in 5 overs.

Finch drives Irfan beautifully through the covers for another boundary. Aus 18-0 in 3 overs.

Warner gets his first boundary by clipping Tanvir through midwicket, Aus 11-0 in 2 overs.

Australia off to a good start as Irfan tosses the first ball which is despatched to the fence by Finch. Aus 6-0 in 1 over.

Misbah-ul-Haq's 88 consecutive ODIs sequence and 75 consecutive ODIs as captain - both came to an end.

PLAYING XI

Pakistan: Ahmad Shahzad, Sarfaraz, Asad, Sohaib Maqsood, Umar Amin, Fawad, Shahid Afridi (captain), Anwar Ali, Sohail Tanvir, Zulfiqar Babar, M Irfan.

Australia: Aaron Finch, David Warner, Phil Hughes, Steven Smith, George Bailey, Glenn Maxwell, James Faulkner, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Starc, Kane Richardson, Xavier Doherty

Australia have made two changes. Johnson is out and Starc is in while Phil Hughes is in for Nathan Lyon.

Pakistan drop Umar Akmal, Misbah ul Haq and Raza Hasan while Riaz is injured.

Umar Amin, Sohaib Maqsood, Anwar Ali and Sohail Tanvir are the replacements for Pakistan.

Australia has won the toss and opted to bat first after Afridi failed to win the toss.

Pakistan cricket was plunged into turmoil once again with unconfirmed reports saying veteran batsman Misbah ul Haq has agreed to stand down as captain for the third and final one-day international at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.

Dashing all-rounder and Twenty20 captain Shahid Afridi is expected to lead in his absence in the dead rubber.

Australia won the first one-dayer in Sharjah by 93 runs on Tuesday and then took an unbeatable 2-0 lead by winning the second match in Dubai on Friday by five wickets.

Pakistan has been hit by injury to Wahab Riaz adding to their woes but the reason for Misbah opting to skip the final ODI is not injury.

Some reports suggested Misbah was upset and disheartened by chants of 'Go Misbah, Go' after Pakistan spectacularly imploded after being 126-0 in Dubai.

Pakistan team manager and chief selector Moin Khan said they had yet to accept Misbah's offer to rest for the third one-dayer.

However, former Pakistan captain Javed Miandad sprung to the defence of Misbah and slammed the commitment of players including Afridi.

“Let’s be clear that Misbah-ul-Haq is not the problem in the current situation. You have so called stars who are able to play well in one game and then flop in the next three games. Then you have Shahid Afridi who has been around forever and who is still trying to hit every ball for six without planning when every team knows that he has a weakness against the short ball," he said in an exclusive interview with Pakistan cricket website PakPassion.net.

“Misbah should not be criticized and blamed for losses due to his own form. He is there to lead and his leadership is more important on the field than runs, although his personal form is allowing his critics to heap pressure on him which is not helping his situation,” he said.

Lambasting the selectors for the ommission of the experienced Younis Khan, Miandad said: "A player like Younis Khan who can save 30 runs on the field and then score just 10 runs is worth more than one who scores 30 runs but gives away 100 runs in the field.

“Our issue is that the selectors and team management have no idea of how to select a squad for the World Cup. I played six World Cups so I feel I know a little more than some of the people entrusted with making these decisions.”

JOHNSON

Australia fast bowler Mitchell Johnson wants to complete a cleansweep over Pakistan to recapture the world's top ranking and provide a tonic ahead of the 2015 World Cup.

"We want to win 3-0 and that is our goal now," said Johnson.

"We have won the series and we want to keep going, keep playing good cricket because we`ve got the World Cup coming next year and so we have to stay at our best."
 
Australia can also regain the world number one ranking if they win the final game, overtaking South Africa who had briefly displaced India.

Australia have now claimed four consecutive one-day series wins over Pakistan, winning 3-2 in United Arab Emirates in 2009, 5-0 in Australia a year later and 2-1 in UAE in 2012.

Pakistan`s last series win over Australia was in 2002.

"It will be very important to win the last game and it will give us confidence before the Test matches," said under-fire Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq of the two-Test series which follows the one-dayers.

"But our batsmen need to show more responsibility. We have to improve our batting before next year's World Cup, otherwise it will mean trouble."

Injury-hit Pakistan will be without paceman Wahab Riaz who suffered a knee injury in the second game.

His place will go to another left-arm paceman Sohail Tanvir, a replacement for injured fast bowler Junaid Khan.

"Riaz is out of the third match because of a knee injury," team manager Moin Khan told AFP.

"He had an MRI. The report will be available on Sunday, after which we will decide about his selection in the Test squad."

Pakistan also lost all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez for the Twenty20 and ODIs while they are without key off-spinner Saeed Ajmal, suspended because of an illegal bowling action.

Teams (from):


Pakistan: Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), Ahmed Shahzad, Umar Akmal, Fawad Alam, Sami Aslam, Umar Amin, Asad Shafiq, Sohaib Maqsood, Sarfraz Ahmed, Shahid Afridi, Raza Hasan, Mohammad Irfan, Anwar Ali, Zulfiqar Babar, Sohail Tanvir.

Australia: George Bailey (capt), David Warner, Aaron Finch, Steven Smith, Phil Hughes, Glenn Maxwell, Brad Haddin, James Faulkner, Sean Abbott, Mitchell Johnson, Kane Richardson, Xavier Doherty, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon.

Umpires: Richard Illingworth (ENG) and Ahsan Raza (PAK)