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- PAK vs AUS Live Score, 3rd ODI
PAK vs AUS Live Score, 3rd ODI
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.
Adam Zampa to Babar Azam, Looped up, full and on off, Babar Azam drives it down the ground. Adam Zampa dives to his left but lets it through for one.
Adam Zampa to Salman Agha, Drops it short and around off, Salman Agha guides it wide of short third for a run.
Adam Zampa to Babar Azam, Flighted, full and on off, Babar Azam drills it down to long off for a single.
Adam Zampa to Babar Azam, Tossed up, full and on middle, Babar Azam prods forward and blocks it out.
- Salman Agha 11 (16)
- Babar Azam 22 (46)
Matthew Short to Salman Agha, Gives this one some more air, full and on middle, Salman Agha pushes it back to the bowler.
Matthew Short to Salman Agha, FOUR! Deft touch! Pushed through quicker, shortish and on off. Salman Agha lets the ball come to him, taps it on its head to steer it to the third man fence for a boundary.
Matthew Short to Salman Agha, WIDE! Fires this one full but down the leg side, Salman Agha fails to glance it away. Wided.
Matthew Short to Salman Agha, Tossed up, full and on middle, Salman Agha strides out and blocks it out.
Matthew Short to Salman Agha, Flighted, full and on leg, Salman Agha clips it towards fine leg for a brace.
Matthew Short to Babar Azam, Shorter in length and around leg, Babar Azam nudges it to deep backward square leg for a single.
Matthew Short to Babar Azam, Floated, full and on leg, Babar Azam clips it towards backward square leg.
- Salman Agha 5 (12)
- Babar Azam 21 (44)
Adam Zampa to Salman Agha, Slower through the air, full and on middle, Salman Agha dead-bats it.
Adam Zampa to Salman Agha, Another wrong'un, full and on middle, turns in a bit, Salman Agha gets forward to block but misses and gets hit on the pads. There is a more confident shout for LBW, but turned down again. Zampa has a chat with his skipper but they do not take the review.
Adam Zampa to Salman Agha, Drags his length back, on middle, Salman Agha moves back and heaves it away wide of deep mid-wicket for a brace.
Adam Zampa to Salman Agha, Flighted, full and on middle, Salman Agha knocks it back to the bowler.
Adam Zampa to Salman Agha, Quicker, full and on middle, Salman Agha tucks it to short mid-wicket. His bat hits his pads and Zampa thinks that it is pad first. He appeals for the LBW, but nothing doing.
Adam Zampa to Salman Agha, A googly, full and on middle, turns in, Salman Agha defends it off the inner half of the bat to the leg side.
DRINKS BREAK! Despite setting below par total on the board, the Aussie bowlers are giving a good fight. Pakistan are now 71 for 3, 87 runs needed off 204 balls. However, if the Aussies can pick a couple of wickets, the game would become even more interesting. For Pakistan, the mantra is to keep rotating the strike and take their time to close their scoreboard toward the target.
- Babar Azam 21 (44)
- Salman Agha 3 (6)
Matthew Short to Babar Azam, Five dots in a row to end the over! Slower through the air, full and on middle, Babar Azam tucks it to short mid-wicket.
Matthew Short to Babar Azam, Flatter, full and on middle, Babar Azam fends it down the pitch.
Matthew Short to Babar Azam, Flighted, full and on middle, Babar Azam strides out and knocks it to the right of the bowler.
Matthew Short to Babar Azam, Drops it short and on off, Babar Azam moves back and pats it back to the bowler.
Matthew Short to Babar Azam, Tossed up, full and on off, turns in, Babar Azam prods forward and blocks it out.
Matthew Short to Salman Agha, Floated, full and on off, Salman Agha steps across and clips it through square leg for a single.
- Babar Azam 21 (39)
- Salman Agha 2 (5)
Matthew Kuhnemann to Babar Azam, On the stumps, fuller in length, Babar Azam leans on and blocks it back to the bowler.
Matthew Kuhnemann to Salman Agha, Nice and full, outside off, Salman Agha steers it to backward point for a single.
Matthew Kuhnemann to Salman Agha, Too full, on off, Salman Agha eases it to the point fielder.
Matthew Kuhnemann to Babar Azam, Flatter, on off, Babar Azam turns it to mid-wicket for a single.
Matthew Kuhnemann to Babar Azam, FOUR! Excellent from Babar Azam! Short, on middle and leg, Babar Azam goes deep in his crease and pulls it powerfully in the gap through mid-wicket for a boundary.
Matthew Kuhnemann to Babar Azam, Quicker, on off, Babar Azam blocks it back to the bowler.
- Salman Agha 1 (3)
- Babar Azam 16 (35)
Adam Zampa to Salman Agha, Short, just outside off, Salman Agha eases it to the fielder at backward point.
Adam Zampa to Babar Azam, Tossed up, on off, Babar Azam digs it to wide of mid off for a single.
Adam Zampa to Babar Azam, Wide! Huge turn outside off, Babar Azam leaves. Wide called.
Adam Zampa to Babar Azam, Quicker, outside off, Babar Azam cuts it to the point fielder.
Adam Zampa to Salman Agha, Too full, on off, Salman Agha drives it uppishly towards deep cover for a single.
Adam Zampa to Salman Agha, Turn and bounce, on off, Salman Agha pushes it to point.
Adam Zampa to Babar Azam, Much fuller, outside off, Babar Azam drives it through cover for a single.
Out goes Ghazi Ghori, in comes Salman Agha. Also, Australia bring in Adam Zampa into the attack now.
- Ghazi Ghori 8 (13)
- Babar Azam 14 (32)
Matthew Kuhnemann to Ghazi Ghori, OUT! TIMBER! Matthew Kuhnemann strikes eventually. No reviews needed for this one. Fired in, full and on off, with a hint of turn. Ghazi Ghori gets low and looks to slog it but misses it completely. The ball goes on to rattle the off pole. Matthew Kuhnemann has the last laugh. Pakistan are 60/3 after 13 overs.
Matthew Kuhnemann to Ghazi Ghori, Ghazi Ghori is safe! A huge appeal and the finger goes up. Ghazi Ghori has a chat with Babar Azam and decides to send it upstairs. Quicker, turning in, on middle. Ghazi Ghori looks to block it but misses and wears it on his pads. A loud appeal and the finger goes up straightaway. Ghazi Ghori sends it upstairs and Ultra Edge shows a spike. The onfield decision is overturned to NOT OUT!
Matthew Kuhnemann to Babar Azam, Short, turning in, on off. Babar Azam punches it to cover for a single.
Matthew Kuhnemann to Babar Azam, Fired in, on off, Babar Azam blocks it back to the bowler.
Matthew Kuhnemann to Babar Azam, FOUR! Nicely played! Flatter, on middle and leg, Babar Azam stays back in his crease and flicks it magnificently through mid-wicket for a boundary.
Matthew Kuhnemann to Babar Azam, Too full, outside off, Babar Azam drives it through cover for a brace.
- Ghazi Ghori 8 (11)
- Babar Azam 7 (28)
Matthew Short to Ghazi Ghori, Nice and full, on middle, Ghazi Ghori blocks it to the right of the bowler.
Matthew Short to Ghazi Ghori, Short ball, on middle and leg, Ghazi Ghori pulls it thrugh square leg for a brace.
Matthew Short to Babar Azam, Nice and full, on leg, Babar Azam flicks it to mid-wicket for another run.
The helmet comes on as Australia place a backward short leg fielder to put pressure on the batters.
Matthew Short to Ghazi Ghori, Quicker, on middle and leg, Ghazi Ghori tucks it to square leg for another single.
Matthew Short to Babar Azam, Flatter, on middle, Babar Azam turns it to mid-wicket for a single.
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
