In a remarkable feat, Pakistan defeated Australia by 8 wickets in the third and final ODI to secure a 1-2 series victory, marking their first ODI series win against the Kangaroos on home soil in 22 years.
This historic triumph has garnered widespread praise from cricket pundits, experts, and former cricketers, who are hailing it as a significant milestone in Pakistan’s cricketing history.
Australian Captain’s Disappointment:
Australian captain Josh Inglis expressed his disappointment after the series loss, acknowledging that his team had been outclassed by Pakistan. Speaking to the media in Perth, Inglis admitted, “While I enjoyed captaining Australia, the series loss is disappointing. Our batsmen failed to deliver in the second and third matches, and we were thoroughly outclassed by Pakistan.”
Rizwan’s Leadership and Team Effort:
On the flip side, Pakistan’s captain Mohammad Rizwan described the victory as a very special moment. He credited the team’s collective effort, especially the bowlers, for the win. Rizwan also commended openers Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafiq for providing solid starts in the second and third ODIs, laying a strong foundation for the team’s success.
Acknowledging the difficulty of beating Australia on their home ground, Rizwan praised his team’s performance, emphasizing the support from fans, regardless of weather conditions or the results.
PCB Chairman Terms the Win as Proud Moment for Nation
PCB’s Reaction (PCB) hailed the series win as “memorable” and a proud moment for the nation. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said, “Defeating a strong team :like Australia on their home ground is a great achievement, and the players have made the nation proud.”
Pundits Laud Pakistan’s Historic Achievement:
Cricket experts have been quick to celebrate Pakistan’s triumph. Former cricketer Ramiz Raja called the victory “monumental” and praised the team’s resilience, particularly their bowlers who controlled the series.
Former Australian cricketer Michael Clarke highlighted Pakistan’s exceptional performances, saying, “Pakistan outplayed Australia in key moments. Their bowlers were exceptional, and the opening partnership in the second and third ODIs was a game-changer.”
Test captain Shan Masood described the win as “a proper display of character,” highlighting the team’s comeback from being 1-0 down to winning the series.
Wasim Akram, former captain and commentator, called the victory a “big achievement” and expressed pride in witnessing the series. “Congratulations to Team Pakistan. Beating the World ODI Champions in a series is a huge accomplishment. This win will boost confidence in the players, the new captain Rizwan, the cricket board, and most importantly, the fans,” said Akram.
English cricketer Kevin Pietersen urged Pakistan to “put the politics aside and let the cricket do the talking,” further emphasizing the importance of focusing on the game’s positive impact.
Ex-cricketer Shahid Afridi congratulated the team with a post on X.
Former cricketer Inzamam-ul-Haq said, “This win will boost Pakistan’s confidence and help them perform well in future series, both at home and abroad.” The victory has not only raised Pakistan’s profile on the global cricketing stage but also demonstrated their ability to compete with the best, even in challenging conditions.
Cricketer Shadab Khan commended the team’s “brilliant bowling, brilliant planning”.
Former South African cricketer AB de Villiers highlighted recent wins for touring teams against the home side, including New Zealand’s win in India, South Africa’s win in Bangladesh, and India’s win in South Africa.
Former Australian cricketer Michael Clarke also praised the captaincy of Rizwan.
Former Pakistani cricketer Mohammad Hafeez commented on Pakistani teams performance by saying “Hitting the right area agression and descipline”
