After 22 Years Pakistan Win ODI Series in Australia

It has been a good beginning for Mohammad Rizwan as the captain of the ODI and T20I cricket versions of the Men in Green as they steamrolled an injury-ravaged Australian side to a decisive series win during their tour of Australia. Surely the team had the potential to perform better than simply allowing themselves to lose 2 – 1 but their performance further raised questions on their readiness.

Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique secured a well deserved victory after opening an innings that now sees Mohammad Rizwan having a perfect record as captain. Two half centuries from the pair was all that was needed to chase down the rather low target of 140 runs. Hosting Australia in the 2024 CPL season earlier, the two countries faced off with Pakistan at the top only to see the likes of Shaheen Afridi serving as the nail in the Australia’s top order.

It is not regularly that the Pakistan team has the opportunity to raze through the rival side as they did on this day where Saim Ayub certainly proved his mettle as the competition grew fiercer. A few stuttered runs here and there did not do much to his game in the other T20 leagues but his innings began through a plethora of powerful shots followed by a series of boundaries as his run score raised.

Cooper Connolly retired hurt with a suspected broken hand giving the Australians a poor batting display in the last ODI series where 6 of its batters failed to reach double figures. The Seamers of the visitors maintained a good pace and got some late swing which the Australians found hard to counter.

On the responds, Pakistan openers Ayub and Shafique gave a good start with their 84 runs partnership before the captain Rizwan’s fine knock of 71 not out along with 28 from Babar secured the win for the visitors. This was a historic win for Pakistan as they won a series in Australia after more than two decades while also securing their worst ODI batting average while in that country.

Abdullah Shafique

Despite facing a close comeback in the first match held in Melbourne, the Pakistanis managed to turn around the series in the second match hosted in Adelaide barring one match to win the series. They continued extending their run after coming to Perth where they won the match against Australia by 8 wickets marking their first ODI win against that country since 2002. The men in green dominated the game on all fronts with preserving pacers led the way.

Batting first, Saim Ayub (42) and Abdullah Shafique (37) put together a first wicket pairing of 84 runs and propelled the innings. It was also the time of captain Mohammad Rizwan who was unbeaten on 30 as Babar Azam added 37 and the target of 140 was achieved after 26.5 overs.

Chasing 140 proved too difficult for the Australians, only managing to score that number through the efforts of Sean Abbott (24) and Adam Zampa (13 not out). Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah’s three wickets each together decimated the opponent’s innings while Haris Rauf and Mohammad Hasnain accounted for two wickets each.

Pakistan’s attack left the Australians unmanned because they rested their better players for the crucial game. And at the helm were Shaheen Afridi with 3 and a returning Naseem Shah with 3 who both took the lead, whereas Rauf and Mohsin completed the game with a pair each.

Haris Rauf

Beginning poorly in the year was the trend for the White ball playing Pakistan team, to a great 2022 end. They defeated Australia 2-1 in the three ODI series, their first ever win on Australian soil since 2002. A key player in Pakistan’s victory was fast – bowler Haris Rauf.

The Lahore Qalandars player development program came as a surprise for Rauf, a 24 year old from Lahore, as everything began in 2017. The exteme pace bowler managed to be the center of attention even though he had never played anything other than tape-ball cricket and eventually progressed to making his international debut.

One factor which led Pakistan to be victorious in the third ODI was the fact that they chased down a target of 140 runs with 8 wickets left. Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique displayed excellent teamwork as they formed a partnership of 84 runs, after which the Pakistani bowlers took charge of the match. In the case of the players from the opposing team, there was only in Sean Abbott (32) who was able to score more than 10 runs others registering single digit scores, as Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah put 3 wickets each.

Babar Azam (28) and Mohammad Rizwan (38 not out) managed to chase down the target set with ease. Sikandar Raza was also able to provide some assist but the chase was mainly achieved due to the performance of the two players. However, with this victory, it is very likely that Pakistan will prevail in the upcoming home ICC Champions Trophy hosted in the year 2025.

Mohammad Rizwan

Mohammad Rizwan is a tough wicket-keeper batsman who is hailed for his sharp goalkeeping and the ability to adjust according to the situation. In domestic cricket, he has represented Peshawar Panthers, Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited cricket team, Lahore Qalandars, Karachi Kings, and Syhet Sixers. He was also a part of Pakistan-A in the Quaid e Azam Trophy tournament and scored 224 runs in its final to help his side as well.

Rizwan made his ODI debut during the Bangladesh series in 2015 and went on to play two other games during the same. Furthermore, he was also part of Pakistan representation in the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup in 2021. Subsequently, he was a frequent presence in the squad and eventually captained the team at one stage.

Pakistan’s performance was greatly supported in the ODI series against Australia with Rizwan’s batting skills featuring as one of the high highlights of the matches. Rizwan aided the team in snatching victory over Australia with a mammoth score of 115 which was registered in the Sharjah match. The next match that was staged in Dubai later saw him hit his first ODI hundred.

He was again outstanding as he represented his country in the last ODI against Australia in Perth. With Babar Azam, he guided the team through to enable a convincing eight-wicket victory. Pakistan thrashed a helpless Australia side to a paltry score of 140 runs and a brilliant exhibition of seam bowling from Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, and Haris Rauf rounded off a comprehensive win. It was the first ODI series victory for Pakistan in Australia since 2002.