November 10, 2024: In a stunning and historic defeat, Australia surrendered an ODI series to Pakistan at home for the first time in 22 years, suffering an eight-wicket loss in the third ODI at Perth on Sunday.
This series loss, which secured a 2-1 win for Pakistan, was compounded by an even more alarming statistic: Australia became the first team ever to fail to register a single half-century by a batter in a bilateral ODI series. This marked a new low for the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup champions, who found themselves outplayed in all departments by a disciplined Pakistan team.
Pakistan Dominates with Pace Attack
Pakistan’s fast bowlers, led by Shaheen Shah Afridi (3/32), Naseem Shah (3/54), and Haris Rauf (2/24), were at their best, demolishing the Australian batting lineup. Australia was bundled out for just 140 runs in 31.5 overs—an embarrassing total that had no real resistance apart from Sean Abbott (30) and Matthew Short (22). The loss of experienced batters like Steve Smith (who missed the final ODI), Marnus Labuschagne, and others was keenly felt, but it was the collective failure of the side that sealed Australia’s fate.
Pakistan’s chase was clinical. Saim Ayub (42) and Abdullah Shafique (37) shared a solid opening partnership of 84 runs, and although Babar Azam (28) and Mohammad Rizwan (30) were not required to do much heavy lifting, they finished the job with ease. The target of 141 was chased down with almost 23 overs to spare, reflecting the gulf in class between the two teams.
Aussie Batting Woes: A Stark Contrast to World Cup Success
Australia’s top order, which has been formidable for years, showed remarkable vulnerability. The absence of key players like Mitchell Marsh, Travis Head, and the star Test trio of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc (who are focused on the upcoming Test series against India) left the Australian team looking threadbare. Steve Smith, the highest run-scorer for Australia with 79 runs from two matches (including a top score of 44), could not provide the necessary backbone for the team, and Josh Inglis (74 runs in three matches) was the only other player to put up some resistance.
In stark contrast, Pakistan’s openers, Ayub and Shafique, along with captain Babar Azam, found form with consistent performances throughout the series. The top three run-scorers in the series were all Pakistani openers, with Ayub scoring 125 runs, Shafique 113, and Babar 80. Pakistan’s ability to rotate the strike and build partnerships contrasted sharply with Australia’s inability to do the same.
Rauf Shines, Wins Player of the Series
Haris Rauf’s remarkable performances with the ball throughout the series earned him both the Player of the Match award for the third ODI and the Player of the Series accolade, having taken 10 wickets, including a match-winning five-wicket haul in the second ODI. His pace and accuracy were pivotal in dismantling Australia’s batting in the series.