ISLAMABAD: Pakistan defeated Australia on Saturday by nine wickets to win the third ODI and the series 2-1, powered by a Babar Azam century and yet another impressive half-century by Imam-ul-Haq.
Azam’s 15th ODI hundred and Haq’s second successive century led Pakistan to its record chase of 349 in the second game. Australia had an emphatic 88-run win in the first match.
Pakistan, chasing a modest 211-run target by Australia, looked uncomfortable at the start of the innings, losing Fakhar Zaman for 17 runs.
However, skipper Azam and opener Imam-ul-Haq once again built a steady partnership. Azam scored his second consecutive century of the series, hitting 12 boundaries. He remained unbeaten on 105.
Haq, on the other hand, hit five boundaries and a six to score an unbeaten 86 runs. The left-hand batter finished as the highest run-scorer of the three-match series.
Earlier, Pakistan’s pace battery dealt decisive blows to the Australian batting line-up. Shaheen Afridi took a wicket from the very first ball he bowled. Afridi picked up two wickets while Haris Rauf and Mohammad Wasim took three scalps each.
Spinners Iftikhar Ahmed and Zahid Mahmood picked up a wicket each. Australia were bowled out for 210 in the 42nd over.