Pakistan, Australia set for Lahore ODI decider with series level at 1-1

LAHORE: Pakistan and Australia will meet in the deciding third One-day International at Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday after the visitors squared the three-match series with a 41-run win in Lahore on Tuesday.

The final match gives both sides a chance to clinch the series, while also serving as another test for Pakistan’s evolving ODI combination as it builds towards the 2027 World Cup. Australia drew level in the second match after recovering on a slow surface to post 231-9, with Josh Inglis and Cameron Green making half-centuries after early trouble. Pakistan were then dismissed for 190 despite a fighting innings from Shadab Khan.

Australia fast bowler Nathan Ellis, who took 4-33, said adjusting quickly to the conditions had been central to the result. Speaking to reporters after Tuesday’s match, he said bowlers had to respond early to what the pitch was offering.

“I think one of the skill sets I’ve tried to learn in my international career is just adapting on the fly,” Ellis said and added that the contest unfolded differently from the kind of one-day cricket more commonly seen elsewhere. “We saw bowlers, fast bowlers going to change-ups pretty early. We saw reverse swing and we saw some spin. It looks a little bit different to the traditional one-day cricket we’re seeing around the world at the moment, but I do think there’s a place for it too.”

He also praised Australia’s recovery with the bat, especially the stand between Green and Inglis. “The maturity and the patience they showed was brilliant. It’s probably match-winning.”

He also credited Ollie Peake’s late contribution. “Then you add Ollie Peake’s little cameo at the back end. It was brilliant.”

Pakistan take encouragement from Shadab, Arafat

Pakistan’s chase faltered after early setbacks, with Maaz Sadaqat and Sahibzada Farhan departing cheaply as the home side slipped to 78-6. Shadab and Arafat Minhas then revived the innings for a time, though the effort was not enough to prevent defeat.

Shadab’s 71 was his first ODI half-century since June 2022. The innings came as scrutiny continues over his place in the side. Back in ODI cricket for the first time since the 2023 World Cup, he has yet to claim a wicket in the series and has gone for more than six runs per over.

Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson said after the match that Shadab is now regarded chiefly for his batting rather than as a frontline bowler.

Hesson said during his post-match press conference. “Starting more as a bowler who batted, and I think the transition is very much probably a batting all-rounder. That’s why he bats at six or seven depending on the situation,” he said.

Hesson further explained Pakistan’s current bowling balance. “We’ve got four specialist bowlers. Shadab is more the fifth bowler, along with whether it be [Salman Ali] Agha or Maaz in this line-up.”

Arafat Minhas has been one of Pakistan’s notable gains from the series. After an impressive debut in Rawalpindi, he followed up with another useful performance in Lahore. Hesson said the young all-rounder had made a strong start to international cricket.

Pitch remains in focus ahead of final match

The nature of the surface is expected to remain a talking point for Thursday’s decider after the slow pitch used in the second ODI drew attention. Pakistan’s team management has said it wants players exposed to different kinds of conditions before the next World Cup, and Hesson indicated that approach would continue.

“There’s not a huge amount of grass out there to play with,” Hesson said after Tuesday’s loss. “It’s going to be spin and not quick wickets. It is incredibly hot, so that is the type of surface we are going to get at this time of the year.”

He rejected the suggestion that the pitch alone had caused Pakistan’s defeat. “Today Australia got a few too many with the bat and we started poorly with the ball. Certainly, it is not the pitch’s fault.”

With the series locked at 1-1, Pakistan will look for a steadier start from the top order and more support around Shadab and Arafat, while Australia head into the decider encouraged by the composure they showed in levelling the series.