PAK vs AUS, 3rd ODI: Rain threat looms large over the third and final ODI between Pakistan and Australia at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. With nearly an hour to go before the commencement of the series-decider, the ground remains fully covered and there is a high chance of the match being washed out.
PAK vs AUS, 3rd ODI: Lahore’s weather update
With the match set to begin at 4:30 PM as per Pakistan time, there have been prediction of more than 40% chances of rain from 4:00 to 6:00 PM, meaning the groundsmen have to wait for two hours before the rain relents and then clear the water for the play to get underway. Hence, it is highly unlikely that the game or toss can take place.
🚨Dark clouds and dust storm before series Decider between Pakistan and Australia in Lahore. ⛈️ https://t.co/whJ6Bf0gVq
— Talha Nawaz (@TalhaDigital007) June 4, 2026
PAK vs AUS, 3rd ODI: Pakistan and Australia trade blows in low-scoring series
Contrary to the popular belief that dew could have a decisive say in the series, it has been a very low-scoring first two ODIs. Australia were undone by the spin twins of Arafat Minhas and Abrar Ahmed in the first game in Rawalpindi and couldn’t finish their quota of overs before being bowled out for 200. It wasn’t a straightforward chase but fifties from Babar Azam and Ghazi Ghori helped the home side achieve a five-wicket victory.
With Australia needing to level the series at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, they put on a much better batting performance if not a perfect one. Josh Inglis and Cameron Green scored hard-fought fifties, while Oliver Peake put his hand up at the death by cracking some boundaries to lift Australia to 231. In response, Pakistan stumbled to 33/3 and 80/6 to stare at a big defeat. But Arafat Minhas and Shadab Khan revived the host’s hopes with a 59-run stand until Nathan Ellis made the breakthrough. The likes of Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf resisted to keep Shadab Khan company as the hopes entirely rested on the latter. It was Shadab, who was the last man to be dismissed as the Men in Green collapsed for 190 to lose by 41 runs.
It is also worth noting that Pakistan have been decisive when it comes to ODI series-deciders against Australia. Out of five series-deciders since 1998, the Men in Green have won four.
