- News
- Sports News
- Cricket News
- 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.
Arafat Minhas to Adam Zampa, A touch fullish, at the stumps, Adam Zampa defends it back to the bowler.
Arafat Minhas to Adam Zampa, Full, on middle, Adam Zampa eases back to the bowler.
Arafat Minhas to Adam Zampa, Fuller, just outside off and spins it away. Adam Zampa looks to drive but gets beaten on the outside edge.
Powerplay 3! Now, five fielders are allowed outside the inner ring till the end of the innings. However, with just two wickets left, Pakistan will want to keep the fielders close in to wrap things up quickly. Here is Arafat Minhas to bowl now.
- Matthew Kuhnemann 8 (27)
- Adam Zampa 10 (16)
Shadab Khan to Matthew Kuhnemann, Quicker, on off, Matthew Kuhnemann eases it to the leg side.
Shadab Khan to Matthew Kuhnemann, Turn and bounce, on off, Matthew Kuhnemann tucks it to mid-wicket.
Shadab Khan to Matthew Kuhnemann, Matthew Kuhnemann is safe! A huge appeal and the finger goes up after a while. Matthew Kuhnemann sends it upstairs immediately to have a check. Short, turning in, on middle. Matthew Kuhnemann looks to block it but misses and wears it high on his pads. A loud appeal and the finger goes up eventually. UltraEdge shows a flat line and Ball tracking shows that it was going over the leg pole. The on-field decision is overturned on height.
Shadab Khan to Matthew Kuhnemann, Too full, on middle and leg, Matthew Kuhnemann digs it to mid-wicket.
Shadab Khan to Matthew Kuhnemann, Quicker, on middle, Matthew Kuhnemann flicks it to mid-wicket.
Shadab Khan to Adam Zampa, A googly, on leg, Adam Zampa knocks it to long on for a single.
- Matthew Kuhnemann 8 (22)
- Adam Zampa 9 (15)
Shaheen Afridi to Matthew Kuhnemann, Too full, on leg, Matthew Kuhnemann flicks it to mid on.
Shaheen Afridi to Adam Zampa, Angling in, on a length, on off. Adam Zampa knocks it to long on for a single.
Shaheen Afridi to Matthew Kuhnemann, Good length, outside off, Matthew Kuhnemann guides it through short third for a single.
Shaheen Afridi to Adam Zampa, Nice and full, on off, Adam Zampa taps it through short cover for a single.
Shaheen Afridi to Adam Zampa, A yorker, on off, Adam Zampa digs it to cover.
Shaheen Afridi to Matthew Kuhnemann, Much fuller, outside off, Matthew Kuhnemann drives it to cover for a single. 150 comes up for Australia.
- Matthew Kuhnemann 6 (19)
- Adam Zampa 7 (12)
Shadab Khan to Matthew Kuhnemann, Turn and bounce, on middle, Matthew Kuhnemann tucks it to mid-wicket for a single.
Shadab Khan to Matthew Kuhnemann, Close! Short, turning in, Matthew Kuhnemann looks to heave it but gets beaten on the inside edge. The ball just misses the leg pole and hits the keeper's pads. Dot.
Shadab Khan to Matthew Kuhnemann, Nice and full, on middle, Matthew Kuhnemann flicks it to mid-wicket.
Shadab Khan to Adam Zampa, Too full, on off, Adam Zampa drives it to cover for a single.
Shadab Khan to Adam Zampa, Turn and bounce, on off, Adam Zampa punches it to cover.
Shadab Khan to Adam Zampa, Tossed up, on off, Adam Zampa blocks it to the cover fielder.
Change? Yes, Shadab Khan (6-0-22-1) is back into the attack
- Matthew Kuhnemann 5 (16)
- Adam Zampa 6 (9)
Haris Rauf to Matthew Kuhnemann, Angling in, on a length, on off. Matthew Kuhnemann looks to block it but edges it to the off side.
Haris Rauf to Matthew Kuhnemann, Too full, targeting the stumps, Matthew Kuhnemann blocks it back to the bowler.
Haris Rauf to Matthew Kuhnemann, Hard length, on off, Matthew Kuhnemann punches it to cover.
Haris Rauf to Adam Zampa, Two wides! Sways it down leg, Adam Zampa looks to flick it but misses. The keeper fails to collect it cleanly as the batters cross.
Haris Rauf to Matthew Kuhnemann, Slows it up, outside off, Matthew Kuhnemann taps it to cover for a single.
Haris Rauf to Adam Zampa, On the stumps, on a length, Adam Zampa taps it to cover for a single.
Maaz Sadaqat is back on the field after his head injury scare earlier in the game.
Haris Rauf to Adam Zampa, Uppish but safe! Full, on middle and leg, Adam Zampa flicks it uppishly over short mid-wicket for a brace.
- Adam Zampa 3 (7)
- Matthew Kuhnemann 4 (12)
Abrar Ahmed to Adam Zampa, Fuller, on off, Adam Zampa drives it to long off for a single.
Abrar Ahmed to Matthew Kuhnemann, Short, on middle, Matthew Kuhnemann tugs it through square leg for a single.
Abrar Ahmed to Matthew Kuhnemann, Beaten! Quicker, outside off, Matthew Kuhnemann looks to punch it but gets beaten.
Abrar Ahmed to Adam Zampa, Fired in, on off, Adam Zampa knocks it down to long on for one.
Abrar Ahmed to Adam Zampa, Short, on off, Adam Zampa blocks it back to the bowler.
Abrar Ahmed to Adam Zampa, Too full, outside off, Adam Zampa taps it to point.
- Matthew Kuhnemann 3 (10)
- Adam Zampa 1 (3)
Shadab Khan to Matthew Kuhnemann, Beaten! Turn and bounce, outside off, Matthew Kuhnemann rocks back and looks to block it but misses.
Shadab Khan to Adam Zampa, Fired in, on off, Adam Zampa knocks it down to long off for a single.
Shadab Khan to Adam Zampa, Nice and full again, on off, Adam Zampa leans on and blocks it to the left of the bowler.
Shadab Khan to Adam Zampa, Much fuller, on off, Adam Zampa blocks it back to the bowler.
Shadab Khan is back among the wickets after 6 ODIs, according to the on-air commentators. Adam Zampa comes out to the middle now.
Is that a bump ball? The third umpire has been called in here. The first angle is not conclusive whether the ball hit the ground or the foot. However, another angle shows that the ball comes off the leg of the batter, and the catch is clean too. A very unlucky dismissal for Oliver Peake.
Shadab Khan to Oliver Peake, OUT! TAKEN! The luck is just not favouring the Aussies. However, the change to bring Shadab Khan has worked for Pakistan. Flighted and fuller, just outside off. Peake looks to drill it downtown, but gets nicked on the inside edge, before the ball pops off the left part of the front leg's boot. After that, the ball loops toward the right of the keeper, Ghazi Ghori dives forward to pouch the catch. Initially, after appealing, the umpire sends it upstairs. The third umpire takes some time and gives the verdict as OUT, after watching it from different angles. Finally, a wicket for Shadab in this series, and it is all smiles in the Pakistani huddle.
Shadab Khan to Matthew Kuhnemann, Tossed up, fuller, on off, Matthew Kuhnemann drives it to long off for a single.
With 34 overs being bowled, Shaheen Afridi will now choose one of the two balls that will be used for the rest of this innings. Also, Shadab Khan is back on.
- Oliver Peake 7 (12)
- Matthew Kuhnemann 2 (8)
Abrar Ahmed to Oliver Peake, Short, on off, Peake fends it to cover.
Abrar Ahmed to Oliver Peake, Full, on leg, Oliver Peake miscues his sweep shot.
Abrar Ahmed to Matthew Kuhnemann, A tad fuller, on middle, turning in. Matthew Kuhnemann gets onhis front foot and flicks it to the right of the leg slip fielder for a single.
Abrar Ahmed to Oliver Peake, Fuller, on off, Oliver Peake clips it to square leg and gets across 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
