Pakistan 143 for 2 (Ayub 42, Shafique 37, Morris 2-24) beaten Australia 140 (Abbott 30, Afridi 3-32, Naseem 3-54, Rauf 2-24) by eight wickets
But Pakistan looked galvanized under Jason Gillespie, their Australian Test coach who replaces Kirsten, and were ignited by a rampant four-pronged attack that routed a short-handed Australia without their Test stars for 140 in just 31.5 overs.
There were no famous wobbles for Pakistan, who headed home in the 27th over.
Acting captain Josh Inglis opted not to use Morris until the 15th over with all-rounder Marcus Stoinis, surprisingly given the new ball alongside Spencer Johnson.
Captain Mohammed Rizwan and Babar Azam, his predecessor, were undaunted in the face of a host of boundaries to finish a match that ended two hours before the scheduled closing time.
Many batters succumbed to hostile short balls, while all-rounder Cooper Connolly had to retire injured in the 7th over after taking a blow to his left hand while trying to pull Mohammad Hasnain. He underwent testing and did not feature in Pakistan’s innings.
The Pakistan attack did not get carried away by the bounce on offer as their quicks bowled relentless lines and lengths to totally stifle Australia, who would once again be disappointed with their shot selections on a surface that was not a minefield. No Australian batter scored a half-century in the series.
Pakistan entered the unusual position of favorites in a country where they have endured so much misery over the years. Their optimism was boosted by Australia making five changes after skippers Pat Cummins, Steven Smith, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Marnus Labuschagne were rested. they start preparing for the first test against India.
Australia had to rethink their batting order but openers Matt Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk remained at the top of the order and desperate to fire after struggling in the first two games.
They seemed determined to sustain their ultra-aggressive methods and scored 12 points in the first game. But things quickly deteriorated with Fraser-McGurk caught at second slip after trying to bowl a good length delivery from Naseem.
He failed to move his feet at a running dismissal in Perth and his wicket brought in all-rounder Aaron Hardie, who was elevated to No.3 in a role he fulfills with aplomb for the Perth Scorchers in the BBL. Even though he was on his ground, Hardie looked nervous and fell into a moment of indecision and almost took a second slip as a reward for Afridi, who conjured up a beautiful seam move.
Short made it past the first barrage as he looked to continue his bid to become Australia’s permanent ODI opener. But on 22, he singled to square leg to gift a wicket to Rauf, who was giddy with his good fortune.
Rauf picked up his pace and claimed Glenn Maxwell for a duck as Australia stared down the barrel of being routed for less than 100. The only momentary concern for Pakistan was Afridi grimacing in agony after being hit to the left thumb by pulling on the stumps.
But he returned and was faced with a counter-attack from Sean Abbott, who top-scored with 30. But Afridi ended Abbott’s resistance and then brought down Morris to dispatch the large contingent of Pakistani supporters into the terraces in rapture and they continued to roar through the afternoon.
Tristan Lavalette is a journalist based in Perth
