Pakistan's Pace Attack Torments Australia; On Verge of Rare Series Win
Australian batting line was once again left reeling under the robust bowling attack from Pakistan in the final game of the ongoing ODI series. Australia were dwindled to a mere 79/5 in the initial part of the game, ultimately ending their innings at 140 with 18 more overs to go.
Though Australia started briskly, reaching 18/0 in two overs, Pakistan soon retaliated. Jake Fraser-McGurk's game was short-lived as he fell to Naseem Shah after scoring only 7 runs. Despite few commendable shots by Aaron Hardie, he was sent back to the pavilion by Shaheen Afridi. The score was 54/2 at the end of first ten overs but couldn't hold long against the robust Pakistani bowling attack.
Australia faced another setback when Matthew Short was caught by the fielder at deep, on a delivery by Haris Rauf. The Australian batting line crumbled further when Glenn Maxwell was dismissed again for a zero by Rauf reducing Australia to a calamitous 79/6.
Marcus Stoinis departed for a scratchy 25-ball 8, putting Australia on a path of inevitable defeat. Adam Zampa and Sean Abbott did manage to push the score past 100, but the fate of the game was nearly sealed. Abbott hit a six, helping Australia reach 140 before Shaheen Afridi ended the innings, claiming two wickets in three deliveries.
The final game saw Australia at a dismal 140 in 31.5 overs (Sean Abbott 30; Shaheen Afridi 3/32, Naseem Shah 3/54), setting the stage for a rare series win for Pakistan on Australian turf.
