Australia win toss, choose to bat against Pakistan in final ODI

Australia on Thursday won the toss and chose to bat against Pakistan in the third and final one-day international (ODI) at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.

On Tuesday, an understrength Australia shocked Pakistan by 41 runs in the second ODI in Lahore, levelling the three-match series 1-1, with fast bowler Nathan Ellis taking a career-best four-wicket haul.

Australia’s total of 231-9 in 50 overs had fighting half-centuries from Josh Inglis and Cameron Green before Ellis grabbed 4-33 to leave Pakistan 190 all out in 44 overs.

Pakistan won the first match by five wickets in Rawalpindi.

The decider presents both teams with an opportunity to finish the series on a high, but it also offers Pakistan another chance to assess a developing ODI squad as preparations continue for the 2027 World Cup.

With the series tied at 1-1 and conditions expected to remain demanding, today’s contest promises a stern examination of temperament, adaptability and execution for two teams still searching for consistency in the 50-over format.

Teams

Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan, Maaz Sadaqat, Babar Azam, Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), Salman Ali Agha, Abdul Samad, Shadab Khan, Arafat Minhas, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed.

Australia: Josh Inglis, Matt Short, Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Matt Renshaw, Cooper Connolly, Oliver Peake, Matthew Kuhnemann, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa.