During the third and deciding ODI between Pakistan and Australia in Perth, Pakistani pacer Shaheen Afridi injured his left thumb while attempting to field a throw. The injury occurred in the 26th over when Sean Abbott hit the ball towards midwicket, and Shaheen, at the non-striker’s end, took a blow to his bowling thumb. As physios prepared to assist, Babar Azam, Afridi’s teammate, took matters into his own hands—literally. In a video that quickly went viral, Babar is seen pulling Shaheen’s thumb back into place, bringing some relief to the bowler. Even the commentators expressed surprise at Babar’s impromptu medical intervention.
Pakistan’s Bowling Dominates Understrength Australia
Pakistan’s bowlers delivered a stellar performance, restricting Australia to a mere 140 runs. Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah each claimed three wickets, supported by Haris Rauf’s two-wicket haul. Afridi took 3-32, Shah managed 3-54, and Rauf chipped in with 2-24, leaving Australia struggling throughout their innings. With the series tied 1-1, Pakistan aimed for its first ODI series win on Australian soil since 2002.
Key Moments of Australia’s Batting Collapse
Winning the toss, Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan chose to field. Australia, missing several key players including Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, and pace trio Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc found it challenging to counter Pakistan’s attack. Openers Jake Fraser-McGurk and Matt Short, yet to make a mark in this series, continued to struggle on the bowler-friendly Perth pitch. Fraser-McGurk was dismissed for seven after nicking a delivery from Naseem Shah to Rizwan.
Aaron Hardie, replacing Smith at number three, managed only 12 runs before being caught at slip off Afridi. Stand-in captain Josh Inglis, in at 56-3, also departed cheaply after skying a Shah bouncer to Rizwan, leaving Australia at a precarious 56-3 by the 11th over.
Rauf and Afridi Clean Up Australia’s Middle and Lower Order
Haris Rauf soon claimed Matt Short’s wicket for 22, and youngster Cooper Connolly had to retire hurt on seven after a painful blow. Glenn Maxwell’s poor form continued as he was dismissed for the third time this series by Rauf, leaving Australia at a desperate 88-6 by the 21st over. Marcus Stoinis managed only eight runs, and despite a brief 30-run stand between Sean Abbott (30) and Adam Zampa (13), Australia was all out in the 32nd over for 140.
With Pakistan needing just 141 runs to secure the ODI series, the team appears well-poised for a historic victory in Australia, marking an impressive conclusion to a hard-fought series.
