Australia vs Pakistan Highlights: Pakistan Defeats Australia by 8 Wickets

Australia vs Pakistan ODI series saw Pakistan claim a historic 2-1 victory in Australia. Under Mohammad Rizwan’s captaincy, Pakistan beat Australia by 8 wickets to secure their first series win in Australia in 22 years.

Pakistan’s historic 2-1 victory over Australia in the recent ODI series has marked a significant milestone in the team’s journey. Under the leadership of Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan clinched their first series win on Australian soil in over two decades, triumphing in Perth by 8 wickets in the final match.

Australia vs Pakistan: A Strong Finish to the Series

Pakistan’s win in this series signals a strong end to the year, showing resilience and growth after a challenging start to 2024. The ODI squad demonstrated both skill and consistency in their performance. Rizwan’s captaincy debut turned out to be memorable, as he led Pakistan to a crucial series victory after the team had not managed a series win in Australia since 2002.

In the third ODI, Pakistan’s bowlers dominated by restricting Australia to a modest score of 140. The pace attack played a vital role in this victory, dismantling Australia’s batting lineup and leaving the hosts struggling to gain momentum.

Pakistan’s Bowling Brilliance

The Pakistani bowling unit was exceptional, with a pace quartet spearheading the attack. Despite Australia fielding a team of experienced players like Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, and Steve Smith, they found it difficult to face Pakistan’s bowlers. Haris Rauf was the standout bowler in the series, taking a total of 10 wickets, while Shaheen Afridi also contributed significantly with 8 wickets.

Australia’s lower-than-expected performance in the series could be attributed to their focus on the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. However, Pakistan took full advantage of the opportunity and remained focused throughout the series, capitalizing on every weakness shown by the Australian squad.

An Impressive Recovery from a Tough Start

Pakistan’s performance in the series was marked by resilience. In the first ODI at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, they suffered a narrow loss as Australian bowler Pat Cummins guided his team to victory. However, Pakistan came back stronger in the second match in Adelaide, where they bowled out Australia for 163 and chased down the target with ease, winning by nine wickets.

The final match at Optus Stadium in Perth solidified Pakistan’s comeback. Haris Rauf’s lethal spells and strong opening partnerships by Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique made all the difference, setting the stage for Pakistan’s eventual win. Babar Azam’s composure in finishing the game with a 50-run partnership with Rizwan sealed the victory for Pakistan.

A Historic Win After 22 Years

This series victory carries historical significance for Pakistan. It was their first ODI series win in Australia in 22 years, adding to the team’s confidence and reputation. The last time Pakistan won a series in Australia was in 2002, in a low-scoring series led by then-captain Waqar Younis. In that series as well, Pakistan had recovered from an initial defeat to secure a 2-1 victory, drawing some interesting parallels to the recent series.

The win over Australia will bolster Pakistan’s morale as they prepare for more high-stakes matches in the coming months. After a challenging first half of 2024 that included setbacks in Test series and the T20 World Cup, Pakistan’s recent successes have instilled optimism for future tournaments.

Momentum for Upcoming Matches

With this ODI series win, Pakistan has set a strong foundation for the coming cricket season. Their victory over England in a Test series and now this ODI triumph in Australia signal a renewed sense of confidence. These achievements will be crucial as Pakistan prepares to host the ICC Champions Trophy at home in early 2025.

Before that, however, both teams are set to compete in a three-match T20 series starting at the Gabba in Brisbane on November 14. The series will continue at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) and conclude at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart. This T20 series offers an exciting opportunity for both teams to fine-tune their strategies and build momentum ahead of upcoming major tournaments.

Conclusion

Pakistan’s 2-1 series victory over Australia has marked a turning point for the team, demonstrating their ability to come back stronger even in challenging conditions. Mohammad Rizwan’s first series as captain has been a resounding success, and Pakistan’s bowling attack has proven its prowess. With more high-profile matches on the horizon, the team will look to carry this winning spirit forward.