Australia Dominate Pakistan in Thrilling 3rd ODI: Highlights & Score
The third and final ODI between Australia and Pakistan in the 2023 series was a captivating encounter, with Australia securing a comprehensive victory to seal the series 2-1. Let's dive into the key highlights and the final score of this exciting match:
Australia's Explosive Batting Sets the Pace
Australia's top order exploded out of the blocks, putting Pakistan's bowlers under immense pressure from the outset. Travis Head, the man in form, continued his impressive run, smashing a quickfire 70 off just 52 balls. Marnus Labuschagne followed suit with a crucial 64, laying a solid foundation for a massive total. Steve Smith also chipped in with a valuable 54, showcasing his class and experience.
Pakistan's Bowlers Struggle to Contain the Blitz
Pakistan's bowling attack struggled to find any rhythm, with the Australian batters unleashing a barrage of boundaries. Shadab Khan was the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan, picking up two wickets, but he was unable to stem the flow of runs. Haris Rauf, who had been a threat in the previous two matches, went wicketless and conceded a hefty 88 runs.
Australia Post a Mammoth Total
The Australian batsmen continued their onslaught, ultimately posting a formidable total of 348/8 in their allotted 50 overs. This mammoth score proved to be too much for Pakistan to chase down.
Pakistan's Chase Falters From the Start
Pakistan's chase started disastrously, with Imam-ul-Haq falling early for a single run. Babar Azam, the Pakistani captain, fought valiantly, scoring a well-constructed 89 runs, but he was ultimately not enough. Mohammad Rizwan also put up a valiant effort, but Pakistan's chase was always an uphill battle.
Australia Claim Victory in a Dominant Fashion
In the end, Pakistan fell short by a significant margin, finishing on 268 all out in 47.3 overs. Australia, therefore, won the third ODI by 80 runs, securing the series 2-1.
Key Highlights of the Match:
- Travis Head's blistering 70: Head continued his impressive form, scoring 70 runs off just 52 balls.
- Marnus Labuschagne's crucial 64: Labuschagne laid the foundation for a massive total with a solid 64-run innings.
- Steve Smith's elegant 54: Smith showed his class and experience with a valuable contribution of 54 runs.
- Babar Azam's valiant 89: Despite a valiant effort, Babar Azam's 89 runs were not enough to salvage the chase for Pakistan.
- Australia's dominant performance: The Australian team showcased their strength and depth throughout the match, securing a comfortable victory.
Final Score:
Australia 348/8 (50 overs) defeated Pakistan 268 all out (47.3 overs) by 80 runs.
This series showcased the immense talent present in both teams. Australia's victory was a statement of their current dominance in the ODI format, while Pakistan will look to regroup and learn from this series ahead of future challenges.