Connolly fractures hand as Pakistan claim ODI series

In reply, Pakistan reached the victory target with 139 balls to spare to wrap up an eight-wicket win and a 2-1 series triumph over the world champions.

Mohammad Rizwan (left) and Babar Azam celebrate Pakistan's win over Australia in Perth. (Stefan Gosatti/AAP PHOTOS)

It marked Pakistan's first series win over the Aussies in Australia in 22 years.

Saim Ayub (42) and Abdullah Shafique (37) set the platform for Pakistan, before Muhammad Rizwan (30 not out) and Babar Azam (28 not out) finished the job.

Australia only just scrambled to the 204-run victory target in game one in Melbourne, before being skittled for 163 in a nine-wicket loss to Pakistan in Adelaide.

The batting performance in Perth in front of 19,781 fans was even worse, with tail-ender Sean Abbott top-scoring with 30 from 41 balls, and opener Matt Short (22) the next best.

It marked the first time no Australian batter has registered a half-century in an ODI series of three or more matches.

Paceman Sean Abbott saved Australia from even further humiliation with a late knock of 30. (Stefan Gosatti/AAP PHOTOS)

"Very disappointing," stand-in skipper Josh Inglis said. 

"We clearly didn't get enough runs on the board, and our whole batting line-up really just didn't get going at all throughout the series.

"Everyone's got to probably look at ourselves individually and find ways to get better and keep improving."

Jake Fraser-McGurk (7), Aaron Hardie (12), Inglis (7), Glenn Maxwell (0) and Marcus Stoinis (8) were out cheaply as Australia slumped from 2-56 to 6-88.

Just two days after snaring 5-29 in Adelaide, Haris Rauf returned figures of 2-24 from seven overs in Perth, while Shaheen Afridi (3-32) and Naseem Shah (3-54) were also rewarded. 

Man of the match Haris Rauf (centre) took two key wickets to help dismiss Australia for just 140. (Stefan Gosatti/AAP PHOTOS)

Connolly suffered a painful blow to his left hand from a rising Mohammad Hasnain delivery in the 17th over.

The 21-year-old, playing just his second ODI, slashed a single from his next ball before calling for medical attention and retiring hurt.

Scans later revealed he fractured the fourth metacarpal on his left hand, ruling him out for the T20 series against Pakistan and most likely the start of the BBL season.

Australia's batting implosions have been a major talking point this series, and their floundering performance on Sunday will do little to quieten the critics.

Fraser-McGurk's footwork was non-existent when he edged Shah behind.

Nine deliveries. Three wickets. — cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) Haris Rauf to Glenn Maxwell ❌❌❌ #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/MeoDGiDrmpNovember 10, 2024

Indecision cost Hardie dearly, with his late attempt to leave a rising Afridi delivery resulting in the ball hitting his bat and flying to second slip.

Stand-in captain Inglis scored just seven runs from his first 18 balls before his attempted pull skied high into the air and was easily caught.

Rauf claimed his first victim of the day when Short pulled him to the deep.

Maxwell fell to Rauf for the third time this series when he was squared up and popped an easy catch to backward point.

It was left to Abbott, Adam Zampa (13) and Spencer Johnson (12 not out) to add some handy late runs.

Australia needed everything to go right in order to defend their meagre total, but not much went their way.

Reflexes! — cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) Sharp stuff from Lance Morris! #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/wjmlJOHcZLNovember 10, 2024

Lance Morris dropped a tough catch in the deep while diving forward when Saim was on 16.

Zampa dropped Abdullah Shafique on the boundary with the score 0-70.

With Pakistan cruising at 0-84, the hosts were in danger of losing an ODI by 10 wickets for the first time in Australia.

But Morris (2-24) produced a sharp catch off his own bowling to remove Shafique, before sending Saim packing five balls later.