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- PAK vs AUS Live Score, 3rd ODI: Pakistan look to avoid series defeat against Australia with series tied at 1-1
PAK vs AUS Live Score, 3rd ODI: Pakistan look to avoid series defeat against Australia with series tied at 1-1
Australia won the toss and elected to bat first, hoping to make the most of conditions that appeared similar to those seen in the previous match. Captain Josh Inglis expressed confidence in his batting unit after a strong showing in the second ODI and revealed that Cooper Connolly comes into the side as the visitors look to post a commanding total.
Pakistan, meanwhile, have retained the same XI that helped them level the series. Captain Shaheen Afridi believes the pitch has remained unchanged and stressed the importance of bowling disciplined lines and breaking partnerships early. Much of Pakistan’s hopes will once again rest on the pace trio of Shaheen, Haris Rauf and Abrar Ahmed, while Babar Azam enters the contest with renewed confidence after finding form with a half-century earlier in the series.
One of the major talking points has been the emergence of Arafat Minhas, who announced himself with a five-wicket haul on ODI debut. The youngster will be keen to continue his impressive run in a match carrying high stakes.
The occasion also carries an emotional touch as legendary Pakistan supporter Chacha Cricket, known for following the team across the globe, is set to make his final appearance at the venue. With clear skies returning after heavy rain earlier in the day, fans will be hoping for an uninterrupted contest and a fitting finale to a closely fought series.
Shaheen Afridi to Cameron Green, Full and on middle, Cameron Green drils it towards mid on with a straight bat.
Shaheen Afridi to Matt Renshaw, 1 run, played towards square leg.
Shaheen Afridi strikes straightaway. A massive wicket for Pakistan. Matt Renshaw is the new batter.
Shaheen Afridi comes back into the attack.
Shaheen Afridi to Josh Inglis, OUT! CAUGHT! Shaheen Afridi gets rid of the Aussie skipper at a crucial time. This is fuller delivery, on off, angling in a bit. Josh Inglis looks to attack and goes for the big booming drive but his bat turns in his hands. He ends up spooing it off the bottom half of the bat towards mid on, where Sahibzada Farhan takes a simple catch.
- Cameron Green 7 (13)
- Josh Inglis 65 (70)
Arafat Minhas to Cameron Green, Loops it up, full and on middle, Cameron Green defends it on the front foot.
Arafat Minhas to Cameron Green, FOUR LEG BYES! Cameron Green survives a close call here! Arafat Minhas slows it up, serves this full and on the leg stump line, gets it to turn away sharply. Green looks to defend but plays down the wrong line as the ball spins past the outside edge to hit his back pad. It goes past the keeper and races to the third man fence for a boundary. Minhas looks very confident and convinces his skipper to take the review. UltraEdge confirms no bat involved and Ball Tracking shows that it is just pitching in line, but wickets is umpire's call. The on-field call of Not Out stays but Pakistan keep the review.
Arafat Minhas to Cameron Green, Flighted delivery, full and on off, Cameron Green knocks it to the left of the bowler.
Arafat Minhas to Cameron Green, Pushed through quicker, shortish and on off, turns away a bit, Cameron Green moves back and keeps it out to the off side.
Arafat Minhas to Cameron Green, Tossed up, full and on middle, Cameron Green pushes it towards short cover.
Arafat Minhas to Josh Inglis, Floated, short and on off, Josh Inglis punches it towards long off for a single.
Arafat Minhas is back on.
- Cameron Green 7 (8)
- Josh Inglis 64 (69)
Haris Rauf to Cameron Green, FOUR! Streaky! Full-length delivery, just outside off. Green gets on his front foot and goes for a drive toward mid off, expecting the ball might angle in, but it holds its line, takes the outside edge and zips through short third for four runs.
Haris Rauf to Josh Inglis, On the fuller side, on off, shaping in, around off. Josh Inglis clips it to the right of short mid-wicket and gets a single.
Haris Rauf to Josh Inglis, A tad fuller, on off, Josh Inglis presents the full face of the bat and fends it to the left of the bowler.
Haris Rauf to Josh Inglis, Much fuller, on middle, Josh Inglis tucks it to short mid-wicket.
Haris Rauf to Josh Inglis, Good-length delivery, on off, Inglis stabs it to the left of Shadab Khan at point, moves a good stop.
Haris Rauf to Josh Inglis, FOUR! Excellently played! Slower bouncer from Rauf, on middle and leg. Josh Inglis hangs on his back foot, lifts his front foot up and pulls it down with control to dissect it between the vast gap of deep fine leg and deep square leg for four runs.
- Cameron Green 3 (7)
- Josh Inglis 59 (64)
Abrar Ahmed to Cameron Green, Fuller, on middle, Green blocks it back to the bowler.
Abrar Ahmed to Cameron Green, Pitches it up, does Abrar, just outside off, Green brings out his front foot and drives it between the short mid off and short cover fielders to get a couple of runs.
Abrar Ahmed to Cameron Green, Short, on off, Green dead bats it.
Abrar Ahmed to Cameron Green, Tossed up, fuller in length, at the stumps. Green blocks it down.
Abrar Ahmed to Cameron Green, A touch fuller, on off, Green eases it to the off side.
Abrar Ahmed to Cameron Green, Full, on middle, Green pushes it back to the bowler.
- Josh Inglis 59 (64)
- Cameron Green 1 (1)
Haris Rauf to Josh Inglis, Full, on leg, Josh Inglis misses his flick and gets pinged on the pad.
Haris Rauf to Josh Inglis, Back of a length, on off, Inglis gets on his toes and blocks it out.
Haris Rauf to Josh Inglis, FOUR! Gloriously driven by Inglis. Fullish delivery, pitching it just outside off and shaping it away. Josh Inglis plants his front foot toward the pitched area of the ball and drives it, showing the full face of the bat, into the gap between cover and point for four runs. 100 UP FOR AUSTRALIA!
Haris Rauf to Josh Inglis, On a length, around off, Josh Inglis opens the face of the bat and steers it to cover-point.
Haris Rauf to Cameron Green, Full, on the pads, Green flicks it to deep square leg and gets off the mark with the single.
Mixing up pace and spin has done the trick for Pakistan. Cameron Green is the next man in.
Haris Rauf to Alex Carey, OUT! BOWLED' EM! Oh, that is an exceptional delivery from Haris Rauf. He sprints hard, takes a leap, and punches the air in celebration. He scoots from around the wicket to the lefty, pitching it outside off, on a good length and angles in sharply toward the off pole. Alex Carey gets on his front foot and looks to block it to the off side, but fails to read the inward movement. It sneaks past the inside edge and rattles the top of the off stump. Number 3 goes down for the Aussies with 98 on the board.
- Alex Carey 19 (31)
- Josh Inglis 55 (60)
Abrar Ahmed to Alex Carey, Drags his length back, does Abrar, on off, Alex Carey puncehs it to sweeper cover for a single.
Abrar Ahmed to Alex Carey, Short, on middle, Alex Carey dabs it back to the bowler.
Abrar Ahmed to Josh Inglis, Up in the air... but lands safely! Short of a length, at the stumps. Josh Inglis miscues his pull and the ball loops toward the right of the mid on fielder. Single taken.
Abrar Ahmed to Josh Inglis, Full, on middle, Josh Inglis defends it down.
Abrar Ahmed to Josh Inglis, Short, around off, Josh Inglis stabs it to cover.
Abrar Ahmed to Alex Carey, On a nagging length, around middle. Alex Carey pulls it to the right of deep fine leg and gets a single. That brings up the 50-run stand between these two batters.
- Josh Inglis 54 (57)
- Alex Carey 17 (28)
Haris Rauf to Josh Inglis, FOUR! Deft touch! Rauf pitches it yet again on the nagging length, outside off. Josh Inglis waits for the delivery to arirve and opens the face of the bat to steer it through short third for four runs.
Haris Rauf to Alex Carey, Sort of a length, around the batter's lane. Alex Carey misses his pull, gets a hit on his shoulder, before the ball rolls to short third. Leg bye taken.
Haris Rauf to Alex Carey, Good-length delivery, around off, nipping in, Alex Carey shuffles and nudges it to mid on.
Haris Rauf to Josh Inglis, FIFTY FOR INGLIS! A captain's knock on the display, just like the previous match. Pitches it up, does Rauf, on off and middle. Josh Inglis shuffles and works it to deep fine leg and takes a single to get to his milestone.
Haris Rauf to Josh Inglis, On a good length now, outside off. Josh Inglis crouches a bit and looks to punch it through cover, but it shapes away a bit and sneaks past the outside edge.
Pace is back on with Haris Rauf.
Haris Rauf to Josh Inglis, Full-length delivery, on off, Josh Inglis hangs back and pushes it to mid on.
- Alex Carey 17 (26)
- Josh Inglis 49 (53)
Abrar Ahmed to Alex Carey, Fired in, full and on off, Alex Carey eases it to the right of the bowler. Australia are 89/2 at the end of 20 overs.
Abrar Ahmed to Alex Carey, Turning in, on off, Alex Carey rocks back and punches itthrough covers for a brace.
Abrar Ahmed to Alex Carey, Short, turning in, Alex Carey punches it to the fielder at short cover again.
Abrar Ahmed to Alex Carey, Drags his length back, on off, Alex Carey eases it to short cover.
Abrar Ahmed to Alex Carey, Much fuller, on off, Alex Carey blocks it to mid on.
Abrar Ahmed to Alex Carey, Flatter, outside off, Alex Carey steers it to backward point.
Australia chose to bat after winning the toss, backing their in-form batting lineup to take advantage of familiar conditions. Skipper Josh Inglis noted that the surface looked much like the one used in the previous game and expressed confidence that his side could put up a substantial score. The visitors have made one change, bringing in Cooper Connolly as they seek a strong finish to the tour.
Pakistan captain Shaheen Afridi was unfazed by losing the toss, stating that the wicket has not changed significantly and that his bowlers have a clear plan to keep Australia under pressure. The hosts have stuck with the same playing XI, showing faith in a combination that has performed well throughout the series.
Several players have caught the eye heading into the decider. Babar Azam appears to be rediscovering his touch, while young all-rounder Arafat Minhas has emerged as Pakistan’s breakout star after claiming a five-wicket haul on debut. Australia, meanwhile, will rely on the experience of players such as Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey and Cameron Green to guide them in a high-pressure contest.
Beyond the cricket, the match marks the farewell appearance of Chacha Cricket at Gaddafi Stadium. The iconic supporter has spent decades travelling the world to cheer for Pakistan and is expected to receive a warm send-off from the home crowd.
After weather concerns earlier in the day, conditions have improved considerably, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting and decisive finale between two competitive sides.
Match Statistics
Venue
Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
