Shaheen Afridi, Shadab Khan Power Pakistan to ODI Series Win Over Australia in Lahore

Shaheen Shah Afridi’s three-wicket haul and Shadab Khan’s unbeaten 29 guided Pakistan to a four-wicket victory over Australia in the third ODI, sealing a 2-1 series triumph in Lahore.

Pakistan upstage Australia for 2-1 ODI series win (Image Source: Google)

Spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi and Shadab Khan starred in Pakistan's four-wicket win in their decisive third and final one-day international against Australia in Lahore on Thursday.

Shaheen grabbed 3-30 to bundle Australia out for 157 before Shadab added a fighting 29 not out to his two wickets, helping Pakistan to their winning target in 41.5 overs.

That gave Pakistan a 2-1 series win -- their third successive ODI series victory over Australia -- after they won the first match by five wickers in Rawalpindi.

Australia won the second by 41 runs, also in Lahore.

Left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann's career best 3-38 -- including Babar Azam's wicket for 40 -- had given the visitors some hope of an unlikely win.

At 112-6, Pakistan were in a spot of bother but Shadab found an able partner in Abdul Samad as the duo added a match-winning 49 runs for the unbroken seventh wicket stand.

Shadab's second boundary sealed the win, while Samad's 18 not out included one boundary.

Shaheen praised a complete team effort.

"All bowlers executed plans well to keep Australia down to 157," said Shaheen. "The conditions were tough for the batters but the players put in a great effort.

"I think it was a complete team effort throughout the series."

Australian captain Josh Inglis praised his team.

"I thought the bowlers and the fielding group made a great effort to put us in a position to potentially win the game, but it wasn't to be in the end," he said.

"We have some young and inexperienced guys so it's a great learning experience for them."

Earlier, Shaheen was ably supported by Abrar Ahmed (2-19) and Shadab (2-28) as Australia's innings folded in 42 overs after they won the toss and batted.

Spinners Abrar and Shadab built on Shaheen's early strikes as Pakistan made a strong comeback after a disappointing loss in the second game.

Inglis top-scored with a 71-ball 65 which included eight boundaries and a six, with Marnus Labuschagne and Alex Carey scoring 19 each and Adam Zampa making 10.

Shaheen had Matthew Short caught off the second ball of the match before Inglis added 46 for the second wicket with Labuschagne and another 52 for the third with Carey.

But Australia lost their last seven wickets for a meagre 38 runs with two run outs also hurting their innings.