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This was published 1 year ago

Australia suffer humiliation on home soil as Pakistan claim famous series win

Tom Decent
Updated ,first published

Connolly taken for scans as Pakistan claim ODI series

By Justin Chadwick

Rising star Cooper Connolly suffered a fractured hand as Australia surrendered their ODI series to Pakistan following yet another disastrous display with the bat.

Australia, missing Test stars Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, finished with a paltry 9-140 from 31.5 overs in Perth on Sunday, with Connolly unable to return after retiring hurt on seven.

In reply, Pakistan reached the victory target with 139 balls to spare to wrap up an eight-wicket win and a 2-1 series triumph over the world champions.

Australian players walk off the pitch after their loss to Pakistan.AP

It marked Pakistan’s first series win over the Aussies in Australia in 22 years.

That’s a wrap

By

Thanks for joining along today.

A bit of an early mark for everyone involved after another one-sided affair that Australia will be mighty disappointed by. Brilliant cricket from Pakistan, particularly with the ball.

Attention now turns to three T20s against Pakistan, starting on Thursday at the Gabba. We’ll be live blogging all three, so come along for the ride.

Also, in case you didn’t see the news about Australia’s Test squad, here’s Daniel Brettig’s yarns on a day when Nathan McSweeney was confirmed Usman Khawaja’s opening partner for the opening Test against India on November 22.

Selectors reveal the numbers behind McSweeney opening gamble

Inglis reacts to grim Australian loss

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Josh Inglis, on his Australian captaincy debut, speaks to Fox Sports’ Kath Loughnan about a game that hardly went to plan.

“Pretty disappointing to be honest,” Inglis said. “I think after three quarters of the first game [in the series], we were totally outplayed. Not enough runs on the board.”

Pakistan skipper Mohammad Rizwan said: “This is a special moment”.

Josh Inglis addresses players. Getty Images
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Pakistan claim historic series win

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For the first time in 22 years, Pakistan have defeated Australia in a one-day international series on Australian soil.

Not only did Pakistan win in Perth, but they thumped an inexperienced Australian outfit who decided not to play some of their best players to let them prepare for the opening Test of the summer against India.

Babar Azam raises his hands in the air and gives batting partner Mohammad Rizwan a celebratory hug on a memorable day for Pakistan cricket.

Pakistan win by eight wickets and reach the target with 23.1 overs to spare. It’s an absolute carve-up job from a team who came to Australia with a clear plan and executed beautifully after going down 1-0 in the series. It finishes at 2-1 the way of the visitors.

Credit to Pakistan coach and former Australian international Jason Gillespie, who’s had a bit going on behind the scenes lately.

Beautiful batting from Pakistan

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Rizwan belts Abbott for six over the mid-wicket boundary, after advancing down the track, before Babar plays a lovely straight drive from the bowling of Morris who, to his credit, is still steaming in.

Pakistan are keen to get these runs quickly. This has been an emphatic performance.

It comes after Pakistan chased down Australia’s total of 163 in game two after just 26.3 overs.

Another on-drive for four from Babar. Full face of the bat. Glorious.

Pakistan 2-120 from 24 overs

Pakistan bring up the 100

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All or nothing here for Australia.

Rizwan and Babar have got the tourists to triple figures and within a few big overs of a famous series win.

Keep in mind they’ve not beaten Australia in an ODI series on Australian soil since 2002.

Sean Abbott is back into the attack after an expensive first four overs (0-37).

Pakistan 2-101 after 22 overs

Aaron Hardie sends one down. Getty Images
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Morris gets two wickets in the over

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Lance Morris finally gets the breakthrough with a sharp caught and bowled to his right.

Abdullah Shafique goes for a well-made 37 with Pakistan more than halfway to the target.

A little too late for the Aussies? Or is it. Would be the greatest collapse in the history of cricket for Pakistan to stuff it up from here.

That is also Morris’ first international wicket in front of his home crowd. No doubt a few mates of his mates will be in the stands in Perth on the beers.

BANG: Five balls later, Morris gets another. Saim Ayub chops on for 42. Both set batsmen gone. Funny game...

Zampa drops an easy catch

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Adam Zampa, who is yet to get a bowl, drops one of the easiest catches of his career down at fine leg off Sean Abbott who does well to hide his displeasure.

Straight into the hands, didn’t have to move, but it goes down.

Not Australia’s day. A heavy defeat on the cards here barring a dead set miracle.

Pakistan 0-71 after 14

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Lance Morris finally comes into the attack

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Australia wait until the 13th over - with the score at 0-59 - to unleash the young quick nicknamed the ‘Wild Thing’.

A tidy over to start (two runs off) and good pace (138.2, 141.8, 140.5, 143.5, 142.4).

Note: one speed didn’t register on the gun.

Pakistan 0-70

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Australia wicketless after 10 overs

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No luck for the home side as Pakistan make their way to 0-47 after 10 overs. At this stage, Australia were 2-54.

OH DEAR. Australia think they’ve got their first wicket as Saim Ayub hooks one into the leg side off the bowling of Sean Abbott.

Spencer Johnson, right on the rope at fine leg, drops a tough catch that hits the rope on the full. Six runs. Tried to jump and catch when staying flat on his feet would have sufficed.

Far from ideal for Australia. Only 94 runs to get from 40 overs.

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Pakistan’s batting partners Saim Ayub, left, and Abdullah Shafique in action in Perth. AP
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