Pakistan claimed a 2-1 One Day International series victory over Australia following a hard-fought four-wicket win in the final match in Lahore. Chasing a modest target of 158 runs on a surface that heavily favoured bowlers, the hosts suffered a significant batting collapse, slipping from a comfortable position to 112 for 6.
However, a composed lower-order partnership steadied the innings, allowing Pakistan to cross the line in 41.5 overs and secure the series trophy.
Australian Batting Collapse Sets Low Target
After winning the toss and choosing to bat first, Australia endured an immediate setback. Opening batsman Matthew Short was dismissed for a duck by Shaheen Shah Afridi on the second delivery of the match.
The tourists staged a temporary recovery through a 46-run second-wicket partnership between Marnus Labuschagne and captain Josh Inglis. The stand concluded when Labuschagne was run out for 19.
Inglis then combined with wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Carey to add 52 runs, driving Australia to a stable position of 98 for 2. However, Inglis’s dismissal for a top score of 65 triggered a severe collapse, as Australia slumped to 137 for 8 before being bowled out for 157. This marked their lowest ODI total against Pakistan on Pakistani soil.
The complete bowling and batting performances from the first innings are summarized below:
| Australian Batsmen | Runs Scored | Pakistani Bowlers | Wickets Taken |
| Josh Inglis | 65 | Shaheen Shah Afridi | 3 |
| Marnus Labuschagne | 19 | Abrar Ahmed | 2 |
| Alex Carey | Second Highest | Shadab Khan | 2 |
| Matthew Short | 0 | — | — |
Middle-Order Recovery Seals the Chase
Pakistan’s run chase began unsteadily when opener Sahibzada Farhan was dismissed with the team score at 27. Wickets fell at regular intervals as the Australian bowlers exploited the helpful pitch conditions. Captain Babar Azam provided stability at the top of the order, contributing a team-high 40 runs before his departure left the lower order vulnerable.
The match was ultimately decided by an unbroken seventh-wicket partnership between Shadab Khan and Abdul Samad. Coming together at 112 for 6, the duo mixed defensive caution with steady run accumulation to construct a vital 49-run stand. Shadab anchored the closing stages with an unbeaten 29, whilst Samad finished on 18 not out, guiding the hosts to victory with more than eight overs to spare.
The definitive match statistics for the series finale are structured in the table below:
| Match Phase | Team | Score | Overs Faced | Top Performer |
| First Innings | Australia | 157 All Out | — | Josh Inglis (65 runs) |
| Second Innings | Pakistan | 158 for 6 | 41.5 | Babar Azam (40 runs) |
The result brings a successful close to the three-match home series for Pakistan, who rebounded from earlier challenges to secure the deciding fixture.