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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.
Matthew Kuhnemann to Babar Azam, Full, on off, Azam pushes it to long off for one.
Matthew Kuhnemann to Babar Azam, A touch fuller, on off, turning away from the batter. Babar Azam gets on his front foot and tries to drive at it but gets beaten on the outside edge.
Matthew Kuhnemann to Babar Azam, Full, on off, Babar Azam blocks it to short cover.
Matthew Kuhnemann to Maaz Sadaqat, Fuller, just outside off, Maaz Sadaqat clips it deep square leg for a single.
Matthew Kuhnemann to Babar Azam, Tossed up, much fuller, on off, Babar Azam drives it to long off for one.
- Maaz Sadaqat 22 (21)
- Babar Azam 1 (2)
Nathan Ellis to Maaz Sadaqat, Ends the over with another slower one, full and on middle, Maaz Sadaqat dead-bats it.
Nathan Ellis to Maaz Sadaqat, Short of a length and on middle and off, Maaz Sadaqat pats it down in front of short cover.
Nathan Ellis to Maaz Sadaqat, Off pace once more, full and on middle, this is the top-spinner. Maaz Sadaqat looks to fend it out but plays it a bit uppishly. It almost carries to the bowler.
Nathan Ellis to Babar Azam, A loopy delivery, dips in late into the blockhole, on off, Babar Azam watches it closely and jams it out to the off side for a quick run.
Nathan Ellis to Babar Azam, Hits the deck hard, on off, nips back in, Babar Azam stabs it out to short cover.
Nathan Ellis to Maaz Sadaqat, Back of a length and on off, Maaz Sadaqat runs it down to deep third for a single.
- Maaz Sadaqat 21 (17)
- Babar Azam 0 (0)
Matthew Kuhnemann to Maaz Sadaqat, Slows it up, full and around leg, Maaz Sadaqat clips it through mid-wicket for one.
Matthew Kuhnemann to Maaz Sadaqat, Pushed through quicker, full and on off, Maaz Sadaqat goes down for the sweep bu misses and gets hit on the pads again. Another appeal but nothing doing.
Matthew Kuhnemann to Maaz Sadaqat, Appeal for LBW, but turned down! Flighted, full and on off, turns in sharply, Maaz Sadaqat steps across to defend on the front foot but misses and gets hit on the pads. Clearly, impact is outside off here and the Aussies do not take the review.
Matthew Kuhnemann to Maaz Sadaqat, FOUR! Gets it away! Floated, full and around off, Maaz Sadaqat leans onto his drive, plays it right under his eyes and carasses it through covers for a boundary.
Matthew Kuhnemann to Maaz Sadaqat, Tossed up, full and on middle, Maaz Sadaqat fends it back to the bowler.
Matthew Kuhnemann to Maaz Sadaqat, Flatter, full and on off, Maaz Sadaqat jams it off the bottom end of the bat towards short mid-wicket.
This is exactly what Australia needed. Babar Azam comes out to bat now. Also, Matthew Kuhnemann comes into the attack for the Aussies.
- Sahibzada Farhan 6 (7)
- Maaz Sadaqat 16 (11)
Nathan Ellis to Sahibzada Farhan, OUT! BOWLED'EM! Nathan Ellis works his magic yet again and gets the first breakthrough. He rolls his fingers to bowl the fast off-cutter and executes it to perfection, on off, grips, and moves in sharply. Sahibzada Farhan fails to read it and tries to punch it away from the crease without any footwork. He leaves a big gap between bat and pad and the ball goes through to rattle the stumps. Farhan is not happy with himself, but has to walk back cheaply here. Pakistan are 27/1, chasing 158 runs.
Nathan Ellis to Maaz Sadaqat, Pulls his length back a bit, on off, Maaz Sadaqat opens the bat face and guides it towards deep third for a single.
Nathan Ellis to Maaz Sadaqat, FOUR! Fine shot! Very full and on middle and off, Maaz Sadaqat gets right underneath the ball. He hits it through the line, thumping it over the bowler's head for a boundary.
Nathan Ellis to Maaz Sadaqat, Another slower delivery, full and on middle and leg, Maaz Sadaqat keeps it out to the off side.
Nathan Ellis to Maaz Sadaqat, Pace off, on a length and on off, Maaz Sadaqat blocks it out solidly.
Nathan Ellis to Sahibzada Farhan, Fuller and on middle, angling in, Sahibzada Farhan clips it away with good timing wide of mid on. Alex Carey chases after it and slides to push it back inside to save a run. Three taken.
Slight halt! Maaz Sadaqat takes a blow to his helmet, and the physio is having a check at it. All good to continue.
- Maaz Sadaqat 11 (7)
- Sahibzada Farhan 3 (5)
Cameron Green to Maaz Sadaqat, FOUR LEG BYES! Cameron Green bangs in a quick bouncer, on middle. Maaz Sadaqat looks to pull it away but gets hurried and misses. The ball bangs on the top of the helmet and flies to the third man fence for another boundary.
Cameron Green to Maaz Sadaqat, FOUR! That's right from the middle of the bat! Fuller delivery and around off, Maaz Sadaqat gets his hands through the shot and creams it through covers for a boundary. This should give him some confidence.
Cameron Green to Maaz Sadaqat, Short of a length and around off, at 141.5 kph, holds its line. Maaz Sadaqat withdraws his bat at the last moment and lets it go to the keeper.
Cameron Green to Maaz Sadaqat, Lands this on a good length and on middle, angling in sharply, Maaz Sadaqat fails to flick it away but misses and gets hit high on the pads. A slight appeal for LBW, but turned down. Probably going down the leg side.
Cameron Green to Maaz Sadaqat, Hard length and just outside off, angles in, Maaz Sadaqat goes chasing after it but gets another inside edge towards fine leg for a couple of runs. He is yet find the middle of the bat.
Cameron Green to Sahibzada Farhan, Back of a length and around off, Sahibzada Farhan opens the bat face and guides it to deep third for a single.
Cameron Green to Sahibzada Farhan, WIDE! Cameron Green begins with a full delivery but down the leg side, Sahibzada Farhan fails to glance it away. Wided.
Who will bowl from the other end? Cameron Green it is!
- Maaz Sadaqat 5 (2)
- Sahibzada Farhan 2 (4)
Nathan Ellis to Maaz Sadaqat, FOUR! Streaky! Nathan Ellis hits the length hard and on off, gets it to nip back in a bit. Maaz Sadaqat stays back and tries to push it away but gets very late on the shot. The ball catches the inside edge and flies past the stumps and to the fine leg fence for the first boundary of the chase.
Nathan Ellis to Sahibzada Farhan, Another slower one, full and on middle, Sahibzada Farhan clips it to deep square leg for another run.
Nathan Ellis to Sahibzada Farhan, Back of a length and around off, Sahibzada Farhan cuts it on the bounce to point.
Nathan Ellis to Maaz Sadaqat, Goes fuller and on middle, hint of shape in, Maaz Sadaqat looks to play at it but gets an inside edge towards square leg for a run.
Nathan Ellis to Sahibzada Farhan, Pakistan are underway in the chase! Pace off from Ellis, back of a length and on off, Sahibzada Farhan punches it wide of mid off for a single. He turns back for the second but Marnus Labuschagne is quick to get to the ball and releases it quickly to the bowler's end. Seeing that, Maaz sends his partner back just in time.
Nathan Ellis to Sahibzada Farhan, Nathan Ellis starts with a full delivery, on middle, holds up in the surface a bit. Sahibzada Farhan drives it a bit uppishly but safely towards mid on.
We are back are Pakistan's reply with the bat. The players of Australia have scattered to take the fielding position. Maaz Sadaqat and Sahibzada Farhan will be the openers for Pakistan. Nathan Ellis has the new ball in hand. Away we go...
... THE RUN CHASE ...
Pakistan bowlers were on top - Pakistan’s bowling attack was exceptional from start to finish. Shaheen Afridi led from the front with a fantastic three-wicket haul, while star spinner Shadab Khan broke his six-game wicket drought by snaring two crucial scalps. Abrar Ahmed also bowled beautifully for his two wickets, and Haris Rauf picked up one to cap off a dominant team performance. Chasing a modest 158, Pakistan are firmly in the driver's seat to clinch the series. Can the Australian bowlers pull off a miracle defense, or will the hosts cruise to victory? We will find out as the chase begins shortly!
The bowling coach of Pakistan - Ashley Noffke is up for chat. He starts off saying that the bowlers did very well but the fielders have done exceptionally well because the run-outs were very crucial for them. On the performance of Minhas, he says that he is an excellent prospect for Pakistan and has a lot to achieve. On being asked about their game plan, he says that the fast bowlers were outstanding in the last couple of matches. Adds that the track offers so much for the spinners, but then also they were rotating the spells at different times and make an overall impact.
The middle-order collapse deflated the visitors - Following Josh Inglis' departure, the wheels completely came off the Australian innings. A devastating mini-collapse saw Cameron Green, Matt Renshaw, Cooper Connolly, and Oliver Peake all dismissed for single-digit scores in quick succession. The Pakistan bowlers gave the middle order absolutely no breathing room. The tail didn't wag as well as Australia were bundled out for a mere 157.
A sorry-looking scorecard for the Aussies! It was a tough day at the office for the Australian batters, who were bundled out for just 157 runs. The tone was set in the very first over of the match when Shaheen Afridi removed Matthew Short for a duck. While Marnus Labuschagne and Alex Carey showed brief resistance with 19 runs each, it was Josh Inglis who played a brilliant lone hand. He fought hard for his 65, keeping the scoreboard ticking, but his dismissal in the 27th over left the visitors in deep trouble.
- Matthew Kuhnemann 9 (29)
- Nathan Ellis 1 (3)
Shadab Khan to Matthew Kuhnemann, OUT! NATHAN ELLIS IS RUN OUT! That pretty much sums up the Aussies' outing with the bat. Australia have been bowled out for just 157. Shadab Khan bowls this short and on middle, turns in, Matthew Kuhnemann stays back and tucks it towards square leg. He calls for the run, but Ellis is hesitant initially, before setting off eventually. Shamyl Hussain (Sub) picks up the ball and throws it on the bounce to the keeper's end, where Ghazi Ghori collects it and breaks the stumps with Ellis well shrot of his crease.
Shadab Khan to Nathan Ellis, Another wrong'un, short and on off, turns in, Nathan Ellis punches it through covers for a single.
Shadab Khan to Nathan Ellis, Flatter, short and on off, turns away, Nathan Ellis looks to play from the crease but gets beaten on the outside edge.
Shadab Khan to Nathan Ellis, Tossed up, full and on off, Nathan Ellis gets forward and fends it back to the bowler.
Nathan Ellis is the last man in.
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
