Pakistan's captain Mohammad Rizwan opted to bowl first after winning the toss in the decisive third and final ODI against Australia in Perth. The series, balanced at 1-1, has showcased thrilling cricket with each team claiming a victory in contrasting styles. Australia edged out Pakistan with a tense two-wicket win in Melbourne, but Pakistan responded emphatically in Adelaide, cruising to a nine-wicket triumph, thanks largely to a stellar bowling performance by Haris Rauf, who took 5-29.
Australia, mindful of their upcoming Test series against India, decided to rest several key players, including Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Marnus Labuschagne, and Steve Smith. This led to a reshuffled lineup featuring pace bowlers Sean Abbott, Spencer Johnson, and Lance Morris, with Marcus Stoinis and Cooper Connolly reinforcing the batting order. In the absence of regular captain Cummins, wicketkeeper Josh Inglis took on the role of skipper, highlighting Australia's rotational approach to managing player workloads during a demanding season.
Pakistan, on the other hand, fielded an unchanged side. Rizwan placed his faith in the same lineup that had secured the resounding win in the previous game. Haris Rauf, whose five-wicket haul dismantled Australia in Adelaide, was set to spearhead the attack once more. With the pace duo of Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah complementing Rauf, Pakistan's bowling lineup looked formidable, aiming to exploit any early movement in Perth's pace-friendly conditions.
Australia's lineup, while lacking some of its star power, still boasted formidable depth. Glenn Maxwell's all-round capabilities and Adam Zampa’s leg-spin were expected to be pivotal in restricting Pakistan's chase. The inclusion of younger players such as Jake Fraser-McGurk and Cooper Connolly signaled Australia’s intent to test emerging talent under pressure.
This final encounter promised to be a test of depth and adaptability for both sides. Pakistan's hopes rested on maintaining their momentum and seizing early control with their potent bowling lineup, while Australia aimed to leverage their home advantage and the youthful energy of their replacements to clinch the series.
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