Australia’s ODI team have been blasted after they were ‘outplayed’ by Pakistan on Sunday afternoon.
The tourists claimed a comfortable eight-wicket victory as well as their first series win against the Aussies in Australia in 22 years.
Josh Inglis stepped up to take the reins from Pat Cummins, who was not present for the match, but his side crumbled under a barrage of bowling from Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah who both took three wickets each.
In the absence of key stars Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Starc and Cummins, Australia failed to impress with the bat, setting a first-innings score of 140-9.
Jake Fraser-McGurk, Inglis and Glenn Maxwell all failed to make it into double figures, while Cooper Connolly was taken off injured after he copped a blow to his hand from Mohammad Hasnain.
Australia slumped to a series defeat by Pakistan on Sunday afternoon, after losing their ODI clash by eight wickets
Stand-in captain Josh Inglis said his side were ‘outplayed’ by Pakistan following the ‘disappointing’ defeat
Pakistan claimed their first series win against Australia on Australian soil in 22 years
Australia have largely failed to live up to their potential during the three-match series, with captain, Pat Cummins, salvaging a victory during the first ODI, before Haris Rauf would scythe through Australia’s batting order to inspire Pakistan to victory in the second match.
‘A pretty disappointing performance,’ stand-in captain Inglis said, following Sunday’s loss.
‘I think after the first three-quarters of the game (of the series) we were totally outplayed. Not enough runs on the board in games two and three.’
He added: ‘It’s up to us to get through tough periods. Really cool experience captaining Australia but a pretty disappointing series.’
‘Pakistan have been absolutely fantastic but I don’t remember seeing a series where Australia have lacked so much intensity,’ he wrote on X.
‘Bilateral series are on the decline I am afraid.’
Speaking on Fox Cricket’s post-match analysis of the game, Vaughan said: ‘Let’s be honest, I don’t remember seeing an Australian batting line-up looking so exposed.
‘Three games on the trot against a bit of pace, a bit of movement, they’ve been completely exposed.’
Journalist Daniel Cherny also stated: ‘This is brain dead cricket.’
He was followed by former England star Kevin Pietersen, who lumped praise on Pakistan following their excellent win.
‘Pakistan WIN in Australia,’ the ex-England batter said.
‘This is the reason they HAVE TO sort out all the negative ‘noise’ and help the talent show off their skills.
‘Put the politics aside and let the cricket do the talking!’
Other fans lumped praise on Pakistan for their feats in Australia having.
Prior to today, they had not won a series in Australia since 2002.
Multiple former players reacted to the result on social media, with Michael Vaughan criticisng Australia’s performance
‘Aussie Aussie Aussie… Moye Moye Moye #PAKvsAUS,’ Mohamed Hafeez said on Twitter.
Former Pakistan coach Wasim Akram added: Congratulations Team Pakistan …beating World ODI Champions in a series is a big achievement.
‘Having witnessed and commentated on this series I feel honoured.
‘This win will give huge confidence to the players, to the new captain Rizwan, cricket board and, most importantly, to the fans. It will lift Pakistan’s cricket image hugely.’
Despite their ODI woes, Australia still have some time to redeem themselves, with Pat Cummins’ side now set to take on Pakistan in a three-match T20I series before they face off against India at the end of the month.
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