Pakistan restrict Australia to 157 in ODI series decider

Pakistan produced a disciplined bowling performance to bowl out Australia for 157 runs in 42 overs in the third and final One-Day International at Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday, with captain Shaheen Shah Afridi leading from the front with figures of 3-30.

Australia captain Josh Inglis elected to bat first after winning the toss, but the decision failed to pay off as the visitors struggled against Pakistan’s pace and spin attack throughout their innings.

Pakistan struck in the opening over when Shaheen dismissed opener Matthew Short for a duck with just the second ball of the match.

After the early setback, Marnus Labuschagne and Inglis steadied the innings with a 46-run partnership. However, Labuschagne's stay ended on 19 when he was run out in the 12th over following a direct hit from Arafat Minhas.

Inglis then added 52 runs for the third wicket with Alex Carey before Haris Rauf broke the partnership by dismissing Carey for 19 in the 22nd over.

The Australian captain continued to resist, but Pakistan tightened their grip when Shaheen struck twice in the 27th over, removing Inglis and all-rounder Cameron Green in quick succession. Inglis top-scored for Australia with 65 runs off 71 balls, including eight fours and a six.

Australia's lower order offered little resistance as Abrar Ahmed removed Matt Renshaw (4) and Cooper Connolly (3) in successive spells, while Shadab Khan ended his ODI wicket drought by dismissing Oliver Peake in the 35th over.

Shadab claimed his second wicket when he bowled Adam Zampa for 10 in the 42nd over. Matthew Kuhnemann was then run out in the same over as Australia were dismissed for 157.

Shaheen was the pick of Pakistan’s bowlers with 3-30 in eight overs. Shadab Khan and Abrar Ahmed took two wickets each, while Haris Rauf chipped in with one wicket.

Pakistan now require 158 runs to win the match and clinch the ODI series.