Pakistan brave Lahore's tricky surface to get over the line in the decider against Australia

Pakistan's newly-found penchant for introducing spin-friendly surfaces reached its apex in the series decider against Australia. A Matthew Kuhnemann delivery that was pitched on the leg stump but turned viciously to hit Babar Azam's off stump was a microcosm of how the Lahore surface behaved in the third and final ODI. 

The run-scoring was so challenging that even balls that made it out of the inner circle were cheered on by the crowd.

Australia lose early wickets

Choosing to bat first after winning the toss under Lahore's cloud-laden sky, Australia began the same way they did in the last game; by losing one of their openers in the first over. What was different this time, though, was that getting back on their feet didn't seem as easy. 

A placid run-rate further fizzled Australia's momentum out, and so far, that had just been the good part. Captain Josh Inglis shared a resilient partnership with Marnus Labuschagne, which, when Marnus got run out in a moment of sheer confusion, shifted to Alex Carey.

A Haris Rauf delivery that seamed past Carey's inside edge landed straight at the stumps, dismissing the third Australian batter. Shortly after, Australia lost Inglis, whose wicket fell like the first drop of rain. Cameron Green followed him back to the hut in the same over as Shaheen Shah Afridi started breathing fire.

Visitors lose 7 wickets for 38 runs

Barring Adam Zampa, none of the remaining batters could even cross double figures as Australia lost seven wickets for just 38 runs. Abrar Ahmed, alongside Shadab Khan, who had not taken a single ODI wicket in his last 300 balls, joined in on the carnage, and Australia could only make it to 157 before they succumbed to the ruthless bowling and even more ruthless surface.

The chase wasn't easy for Pakistan, though their openers, who have had a quiet series, did bring out some fireworks. By the time Pakistan lost their first wicket, which fell in the third over when a Nathan Ellis off-cutter did Sahibzada Farhan in, they were already 27 runs into the chase. Australia had taken approximately double that to reach as many runs.

Babar and Salman held the fort

After Farhan, the two youngsters, Ghazi Ghori and Maaz Sadaqat, also found the track too lethal for themselves. Maaz was able to notch a 27-ball 26, which was his highest in the series. Babar Azam and Salman Ali Agha then transitioned into Test batters as they scored every run with immense caution.

This helped them score 33 runs off 61 balls, but it was a win for Pakistan as long as a wicket didn't fall. But that ended soon as well, as Salman and Babar made their way back, with Kuhnemann giving some bite to the Australian bowling. Arafat Minhas, who ended his bowling spell wicketless, couldn't chip in much with the bat and went back to the hut. Pakistan were left in a lurch, with Shadab Khan, Abdul Samad, and flashbacks from the previous game left to tackle the chase.

Shadab, Samad seal the win

Both batters shared an unbeaten 49-run stand off 67 balls, which steered Pakistan to victory without any more hiccups.

Pakistan wrapped the three-game series 2-1 as they won their second consecutive ODI series against Australia for the first time in bilateral history.

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Pakistan bowlers on top as Australia slump to 157 in series decider- IPL