Haris Rauf’s record-equalling haul helped Pakistan win their first bilateral ODI series in Australia since 2002.
Pakistan barely broke a sweat in reaching the target after their fast bowlers shot out Australia for 140, the fourth-lowest all-out total for Australia against Pakistan. They lost only two wickets to complete the chase with 139 balls to spare.
Saim Ayub (42) and Abdullah Shafique (37) added 84 for the opening stand before Lance Morris (2-24) dismissed both in the space of five balls. However, Babar Azam (28 not out) and Mohammad Rizwan (30 not out) ensured there was no collapse.
Shaheen Shah Afridi (3-32), Naseem Shah (3-54), Mohammad Hasnain (1-24), and Haris Rauf (2-24) bowled out Australia in only 31.4 overs. No fifth bowler was required. This was Australia’s shortest all-out innings against Pakistan anywhere in the world. The previous record was their 35-over 163 at Adelaide two days ago.
Pakistan sealed the series 2-1, their first ever bilateral ODI series win in Australia since Waqar Younis’s team won 2-1 in 2002. It could well have been 3-0. In the first match, at Melbourne, Pakistan folded for 203 and had Australia at 155-7 before the hosts managed a two-wicket win. Rauf got 3-67 that day and Shaheen 2-43.
There was no such turnaround for Australia in the second ODI, in the abovementioned match at Adelaide, where they were bowled out for 163. Rauf claimed 5-29 on that occasion and Shaheen 3-26. Pakistan romped to a nine-wicket win in the 27th over.
Throughout the entire series, Pakistan needed only three overs from anyone else other than the quartet. In the second game, Ayub sent down three overs of innocuous off-breaks.
Outside one-off games, Pakistan’s bowling average of 19.03 and strike rate of 23.1 are the best by any side against Australia against a series of any length involving any number of teams.
Rauf entered the record books with his 10 wickets – the joint-most by anyone in a bilateral series of three or fewer ODIs against Australia.
Most wickets in a bilateral ODI series of three or fewer matches against Australia
| Bowler | Wickets | Average | Host nation | Season |
| Saeed Ajmal | 10 | 9.90 | UAE | 2012 |
| Trent Boult | 10 | 10.30 | Australia | 2022 |
| Haris Rauf | 10 | 12.00 | Australia | 2024-25 |
| Lungi Ngidi | 9 | 9.77 | South Africa | 2019-20 |
There are several bowlers with eight wickets, including Shaheen from this series.
Follow Wisden for all cricket updates, including live scores, match stats, quizzes and more. Stay up to date with the latest cricket news, player updates, team standings, match highlights, video analysis and live match odds.
