Afridi, Naseem and Rauf restrict Australia to 140 in hunt for series win

Australia 140 (Abbott 30, Shaheen 3-32, Naseem 3-54, Rauf 2-24) vs Pakistan

Pakistan moved closer to a rare series victory in Australia after their quicks produced another superb display of pace bowling on a bouncy Optus Stadium surface in the third and final ODI.

After his attack had rattled world champions Australia on favourable bowling pitches at the MCG and Adelaide Oval, Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan had no hesitation to bowl first and his decision was vindicated.

A shorthanded Australia without their Test stars crumbled for 140 in just 31.5 overs against sustained bowling from Pakistan’s four-pronged pace attack. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah claimed three wickets apiece, while in-form Haris Rauf finished with 2-24 as his sheer speed once again shook up the batters.

They bowled with hostility with numerous batters succumbing to the short ball, while allrounder Cooper Connolly had to retire hurt on 7 after copping a blow to his left hand attempting to pull Mohammad Hasnain. He was taken for scans and might not return to the field in Pakistan’s innings.

Pakistan’s attack smartly did not get carried away with the bounce on offer as their quicks bowled unrelenting line and lengths to totally smother Australia, who once again would be disappointed with their shot selections on a surface that was not a minefield.

After a stunning nine-wicket victory in Adelaide, impressively rebounding from a two-wicket defeat in the series-opener, Pakistan entered in the unfamiliar position of favourites in a country where they have endured so much misery over the years.

Their optimism was heightened by Australia making five changes after skipper Pat Cummins, Steven Smith, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Marnus Labuschagne were rested as they start to prepare for the first Test against India.

Australia had to rejig their batting-order, but openers Matt Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk remained at the top of the order and desperate to fire having struggled across the opening two games.

They appeared intent on backing their ultra-aggressive methods and scored 12 runs in the opening over. But things quickly went downhill with Fraser-McGurk caught at second slip after attempting to drive a good length delivery from Naseem.

He failed to move his feet in a dismissal that is common in Perth and his wicket brought to the crease allrounder Aaron Hardie, who was elevated to No. 3 in a role he fulfils with aplomb for Perth Scorchers in the BBL.

Even though he was on his home ground, Hardie looked nervous and was rapped on the pads by Shaheen, who dangerously moved the ball in the air, but Rizwan did not review in a wise decision as per the replays.

Hardie’s nerves appeared to settle with a whip through midwicket for his first boundary, but he soon fell in a moment of indecisiveness and edged to second slip in a reward for Shaheen, who conjured beautiful seam movement.

The pressure was on Josh Inglis, who was already amid a big day in his captaincy debut having been earlier selected in Australia’s 13-man squad for the Perth Test against India. Inglis has often performed a rescue role for Scorchers in the BBL, but he couldn’t get going and skied a short Naseem delivery to Rizwan.

Short managed to get through the early barrage as he set his sights on furthering his bid to become Australia’s permanent ODI opener. But on 22 he picked out square leg to gift a wicket to Rauf, who was feeling giddy at his good fortune.

Rauf ramped up his speed and claimed Glenn Maxwell for a duck as Australia stared down the barrel of being routed for under 100. The only momentary concern for Pakistan was Shaheen grimacing in agony after being whacked on his left thumb taking a throw at the stumps.

But he returned and was faced with a counterattack from Sean Abbott, who top-scored with 30. But Shaheen ended Abbott’s resistance and then knocked over Lance Morris to send the large contingent of Pakistan fans in the terraces into raptures.