3rd ODI: Australia set 158-run target for Pakistan 

Lahore (Web Desk): Shaheen Shah Afridi produced a commanding spell as Pakistan ripped through Australia’s batting lineup, restricting them to a modest 157 in the third and final one-day international (ODI) of the home series at Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday.

Opting to bat first, Australia captain Josh Inglis saw his decision unravel almost immediately as Pakistan’s new-ball attack struck early.

Shaheen made the breakthrough on just the second delivery of the innings, removing opener Matthew Short for a duck and setting the tone for the rest of the contest.

Marnus Labuschagne then joined Inglis in an effort to steady the innings, and the pair managed to put together a 46-run stand. However, their resistance ended when Labuschagne was run out for 19 in the 12th over after a sharp direct hit from Arafat Minhas.

Inglis continued to anchor the innings and later found support from Alex Carey as the duo added 52 runs for the third wicket. Carey contributed 19 before being sent back by Haris Rauf in the 22nd over.

Pakistan tightened their grip further when Shaheen returned to dismiss Inglis for a fighting 65 off 71 balls, decorated with eight boundaries and a six. In the same passage of play, Cameron Green also fell for seven, leaving Australia in deep trouble at 120 for 5.

Abrar Ahmed then joined the wicket-taking spree, striking twice in quick succession to remove Matt Renshaw (four) and Cooper Connolly (three). Shadab Khan eventually broke his ODI drought, dismissing Oliver Peake in the 35th over to add to Australia’s woes.

Shadab struck again in the 42nd over, cleaning up Adam Zampa for 10, while Australia’s innings came to a close when Matthew Kuhnemann was run out in the same over, wrapping up a disappointing batting display.

Shaheen finished with excellent figures of 3 for 30 from eight overs, while Shadab and Abrar claimed two wickets apiece and Haris Rauf contributed one as Pakistan dominated the bowling effort from start to finish.