Pakistan on Saturday (April 2) clinched a historic series win over Australia, winning the third and final ODI in Lahore by nine wickets. The hosts comprehensively defeated their Aussie rivals after responding to their paltry 210 all out with a score of 214/1 of their own. Babar Azam & company made a very strong comeback […]
Pakistan on Saturday (April 2) clinched a historic series win over Australia, winning the third and final ODI in Lahore by nine wickets. The hosts comprehensively defeated their Aussie rivals after responding to their paltry 210 all out with a score of 214/1 of their own.
Babar Azam & company made a very strong comeback after going heavily in the opening game and pulled off consecutive victories to seal the series honours in their favour. Babar led his side from the front, scoring two back to back centuries in two wins.
On the day, the Pakistan skipper made the run-chase a cakewalk for his team with an unbeaten 105. At the other end, another in-form batter Imam-ul-Haq continued his great run as well with a 85 not out. But the duo of Babar and Imam will be the first ones to acknowledge that the game was set up for them by the Pakistani bowlers.
Pacers Haris Rauf (3/39) and Mohammad Wasim Jr (3/40) ended with three wickets apiece, while spearhead Shaheen Afridi (2/40) returned with two wickets to his name in Pakistan’s historic series win.
WATCH: Shaheen Afridi Gets Rid Of The In-Form Travis Head With A Beauty
Pakistan finished with their maiden ODI series against Australia since 2002.
Heading into the three-match rubber, Pakistan had not defeated Australia in a bilateral ODI series since June 2002. Overall, since the turn of the century, they had won only 10 of their previous 53 ODIs against Australia. Babar’s team made nice amends for that with an exceptional 2-1 scoreline, giving their fans a lot to cheer about after going down in the Test series 1-0 versus the tourists.
The visitors were missing a few of their prominent stars but their commanding win in the first one-dayer should dispel any doubts over their quality. It was a win to savour and cherish for the home team. As it was for their fans, who reacted with a great round of applause for their side on social media.
Here is how Pakistan fans reacted after the 2-1 series win:
“My vote of confidence is for Babar Azam”#PAKvAUS pic.twitter.com/onmeShNLxl
— Change of Pace (@ChangeofPace414) April 2, 2022
In these divisive times, Babar Azam is our symbol of unity. What a king!
— Ammar Ali Jan (@ammaralijan) April 2, 2022
Pakistan’s turn with the ‘friendly’ banter. pic.twitter.com/vYBws1oXZt
— Switch Hit (@_SwitchHit) April 2, 2022
Babar has to be the best in the world right now, the way he’s batting. Has the same sort of presence, inevitability and sense of occasion that Kohli had at his peak.
— Assad (@LeftArmAround) April 2, 2022
Pakistan hadn’t won against Aus in 16 matches, broke that streak by pulling off their highest success ODI run-chase. Pakistan hadn’t won a bilateral ODI series vs Aus in 20 years, did so in the last match with 73 balls to spare. #Remarkable
— Rehan Ulhaq (@Rehan_ulhaq) April 2, 2022
Congratulations to Team Pakistan
on historic victory in the ODI series. The whole team played like a well-knit unit led ably by Babar Azam whose batting prowess continues to stun the world. Thanks to Team Australia
— Mujahid Khan (@Mujahidk7880002) April 3, 2022
A picture of 20 years.
2002: Pakistan becomes the first Asian team to win a bilateral ODI series against Australia in Australia
2022: Pakistan wins their first bilateral ODI series win against Australia in a gap of 20 years. #PAKvsAUS #PAKvAUS #Cricket #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/qi1FXF7U7v
— Anas Chishty (@iAnasC07) April 2, 2022
First ODI series win vs Australia in 20 years – Ramadan ka Tohfa to all of you from Team Pakistan.
— S A A D
The series win also gave Pakistan 20 crucial points in the ICC Super League as they eye direct qualification to the 2023 World Cup in India. A 2-1 scoreline meant this was Australia’s first series defeat in the league. Pakistan next play West Indies in their campaign this June, while Australia take on Zimbabwe in August.
on historic victory in the ODI series. The whole team played like a well-knit unit led ably by Babar Azam whose batting prowess continues to stun the world. Thanks to Team Australia 
for the great contests. 
