Dismal Aussies belted as Pakistan wins first one-day series Down Under in 22 years
Updated . First published at
Australia's batsmen suffered yet another collapse against Pakistan in the third ODI in Perth, bowled out for 140 in 31.5 overs.
Pakistan then made light work of the run chase, hunting down the 141 runs required in 26.5 overs with eight wickets in hand.
It marked Pakistan's first one-day series victory over Australia Down Under in 22 years.
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It was Haris Rauf who stood tall for Pakistan with the ball, removing Glenn Maxwell for a duck to leave the Australians reeling.
With a young batting line-up in hand, it seemed up to Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis to guide their side out of murky waters, after Josh Inglis fell for just 7 earlier in the day.
But when Stoinis fell to leave Australia 6-88 after 20 overs, it seemed a repeat of the hosts' second-game ODI efforts, which saw the hosts make just 163 runs, would be on the cards.
With 30 overs in hand, it was up to Adam Zampa and Sean Abbott to steady the ship.
Glenn Maxwell of Australia leaves the middle after getting out to Haris Rauf of Pakistan. Getty
As the partnership began to steadily build between the pair, Zampa was caught by Saim Ayub at backward point.
Australia then sat at 7-119 off 27 overs.
The young squad attempted to salvage its innings, but with no recognised batsmen left the challenge became too difficult.
Spencer Johnson joined Abbott at the crease with 20 overs to spare, making a few handy runs to make a more respectable total for the Australians.
Haris Rauf of Pakistan celebrates the wicket of Matthew Short. Getty
However, Abbott's late effort that saw him nab 30 off 41 deliveries, came to an end in the 31st over, with a slower ball from Shaheen Afridi caught by Rauf at wide mid-on.
Earlier, Matt Short collected 22 off 30 balls opening the batting alongside Jake Fraser-McGurk, who made 7, while Aaron Hardie was dismissed for 12.
Young batsman Cooper Connolly retired hurt on 7 after being hit in the hand with a bouncer.
He was sent for scans shortly after.
Afridi took 3-32 and Rauf finished with figures of 2-22.
Cooper Connolly of Australia leaves the field injured during game three of the men's ODI series between Australia and Pakistan. Getty
Australia entered the third and final ODI with a depleted side, with selectors choosing to rest Test captain Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, Josh Hazlewood, Mitch Starc and Marnus Labuschagne ahead of the first Test against India, beginning on November 22.
In Pakistan's innings, openers Saim Ayoub and Abdullah Shafique crafted 42 and 37 respectively.
Babar Azam finished unbeaten on 28 and Mohammed Rizwan not out on 30.
Fast bowler Lance Morris took two consolation wickets for Australia.
