Pakistan fast bowlers clinch first ODI series win in Australia in 22 years

World champions dismissed for 140 in Perth as Mohammad Rizwan's team ease to eight-wicket victory

Pakistan pacer Naseem Shah, second left, celebrates the wicket of Adam Zampa during the third ODI against Australia in Perth on Sunday, November 10, 2024. Getty Images

Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi celebrates the wicket of Australia’s Aaron Hardy in Perth. AFP

Haris Rauf, centre, after dismissing Australia's Glenn Maxwell for the third time in the ODI series. AP

Haris Rauf, left, was in great form in the series in Australia. AP

Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan after taking a catch to dismiss Marcus Stoinis. EPA

Saim Ayub, left, and Abdullah Shafique guided Pakistan to a series win in Perth. AP

Saim Ayub top-scored for Pakistan with 42. EPA

Pakistan continued a dramatic turnaround in their fortunes as their fast bowlers delivered a historic ODI series win in Australia on Sunday - their first in the country since 2002.

After dismissing an understrength and out of form world champions for just 140 in Perth, Mohammad Rizwan's team reached their target in the 27th over with eight wickets in hand to take the three-match series 2-1.

Saim Ayub hit 42 and Abdullah Shafique 37 as Pakistan raced to the target to complete another sensational series win following their dramatic home Test series victory over England.

And while the credit for the Test series went to their spinners, it was the fast bowlers who secured victory in Australia.

Pacers Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi both claimed three wickets while express quick Haris Rauf continued his excellent form on Sunday.

With the three-match contest locked at 1-1, Rizwan won the toss and sent in the hosts knowing how out of form the home team's batting line-up was.

The Aussie batting was blown away by another high-quality spell of pace bowling by Afridi (3-32) and Shah (3-54), with Rauf (2-24) proving lethal in the middle overs again.

Sean Abbott top scored with 30 before they were bundled out in the 32nd over for just 140.

Australia were without Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne, along with pace trio Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc who are being rested ahead of the Test series against India.

For the third consecutive match Jake Fraser-McGurk and Matt Short opened the batting, desperate for runs after failing to make an impact at Melbourne and Adelaide.

But on a pitch suited to the quick bowlers Fraser-McGurk again flopped, nicking a swinging Shah delivery to wicketkeeper Rizwan on seven.

Aaron Hardie, promoted to three in place of Smith, lasted 13 balls for his 12 before being caught at slip off Afridi.

That brought stand-in skipper Josh Inglis to the crease, but he too departed cheaply for seven, skying a Shah bouncer that Rizwan collected to leave Australia on 56-3 in the 11th over.

Rauf, who took 5-29 in Adelaide, then accounted for Short (22) before youngster Cooper Connolly, in only his second ODI, was forced to retire hurt on seven after a nasty blow to his hand.

The out-of-form Glenn Maxwell only survived two balls with Rauf bagging him for the third time this series, caught at point by Ayub, while Marcus Stoinis added just eight to the score as Australia stumbled to 88-6 in the 21st over.

Abbott and Adam Zampa (13) shared a handy 30-run partnership before the tail was mopped up.

All Pakistan pacers maintained high pace throughout the three-match series, and also got late movement, proving almost impossible to hit away. Australia's batting average for the entire series was less than 17 - their worst ever effort in home ODIs.

In fact, Pakistan will feel they could well have won the series 3-0 as they had reduced Australia to eight down in their chase of 204 in the first ODI in Melbourne.

“This is a special moment for me because we know our nation will be happy,” Rizwan said. “They don't always get what they expect from us as a team. Today we are happy as a team because our nation will be happy.

"I'll give all the credit to the bowlers. Australia in Australia is not easy. But Saim and Abdullah have given us a couple of great starts, too. The fans love us regardless of whether we win or lose and I really appreciate that."

Pakistan complete their tour of Australia with three Twenty20 internationals starting in Brisbane on Thursday.