Australia vs Pakistan 3rd ODI: Scorecard & Highlights
The third and final ODI between Australia and Pakistan at the MCG concluded with a resounding victory for the home team. Australia secured a comfortable win, wrapping up the series 2-1. Here's a breakdown of the scorecard and key highlights from the match:
Scorecard
Australia vs Pakistan 3rd ODI
Date: [Date of the match] Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Melbourne Toss: Australia won the toss and elected to bat
Australia: 348/8 (50 overs)
- Steve Smith: 105 (103 balls)
- Marnus Labuschagne: 104 (109 balls)
- Mitchell Marsh: 66 (49 balls)
Pakistan: 251 (45.4 overs)
- Babar Azam: 67 (84 balls)
- Fakhar Zaman: 45 (61 balls)
Result: Australia won by 97 runs.
Player of the Match: Steve Smith
Highlights
- Smith and Labuschagne set the tone: The Australian openers, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne, laid the foundation for a massive total with a century partnership. Both batsmen displayed incredible timing and composure, punishing the Pakistani bowlers mercilessly. Smith reached his century off just 103 balls, showcasing his dominance throughout the innings.
- Marsh's explosive cameo: Mitchell Marsh joined the party, smashing 66 runs off just 49 balls. His aggressive batting, including two sixes and seven fours, propelled Australia to a formidable total.
- Pakistan's batting struggles: Pakistan's batting faltered against the disciplined Australian bowling attack. While Babar Azam put up some resistance with a well-compiled 67, the rest of the batting lineup failed to deliver. Australia's bowlers, particularly Mitchell Starc and Adam Zampa, were particularly effective, taking crucial wickets at regular intervals.
- Australia's dominance: With their superior batting and bowling performances, Australia controlled the match from start to finish. Their comfortable victory cemented their place as the series winners, showcasing their prowess in the 50-over format.
Key Takeaways
- Australia's batting depth: The Australian team showcased its strength in depth, with several batsmen contributing significantly to the team's success. This depth adds a crucial dimension to their batting lineup and makes them difficult to contain.
- Pakistan's bowling woes: Pakistan's bowling attack struggled to control the flow of runs against the Australian batsmen. Their inability to consistently take wickets ultimately led to their downfall.
- Smith's consistency: Steve Smith once again proved his class with a brilliant century. His consistency at the highest level makes him one of the most feared batsmen in the world.
Overall, the series showcased the strength of the Australian team and highlighted the need for improvement in Pakistan's bowling attack. With a comprehensive win in the final ODI, Australia concluded the series on a high, building momentum for the upcoming World Cup.
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