Australia beat Pakistan by one run in a sensational finish to the third and final day-night international in Abu Dhabi yesterday. 

Australia swept the series 3-0 after winning the first game in Sharjah by 93 runs on Tuesday and the second in Dubai by five wickets on Friday. Pakistan, without their regular captain Misbah-ul-Haq who opted to rest, failed to score two runs, losing two wickets in the final over bowled by Glenn Maxwell as they chased a 232-run target. Asad Shafiq made a solid 50.

Australia’s total of 231-9 was built around half-centuries from Steven Smith (77) and David Warner (56).  Paceman Sohail Tanvir took 3-40 while stand-in captain Shahid Afridi finished with 3-44.  The two teams now play a two-match Test series, starting in Dubai from October 22. 

Earlier, Smith notched a sedate 105-ball 77 with only three boundaries while Warner hit a quick 63-ball 56 with six boundaries and a six after Australia won the toss and opted to bat on a flat Sheikh Zayed Stadium pitch.

Pakistan also dropped Umar Akmal, injured Wahab Riaz and Raza Hasan to bring in Umar Amin, Sohaib Maqsood, Anwar Ali and Sohail Tanvir.  With the series already in the bag having won the first two matches, Australia rested paceman Mitchell Johnson and off-spinner Nathan Lyon to bring in Mitchell Starc and Phil Hughes.

Australia were off to a confident start of 48 before Aaron Finch miscued a drive and was caught at mid-off for 18. Smith added an invaluable 54 for the second wicket with Warner as Australia tried to consolidate the innings. Warner hit spinner Zulfiqar Babar for six to reach his ninth half-century off 41 balls before he gave a return catch to Afridi.  Australian skipper George Bailey fell for nought while Glenn Maxwell holed out off Afridi for 20. Paceman Tanvir then had Smith, Phil Hughes (five) and James Faulkner (33) to finish with 3-40 in his ten overs. Afridi finished with 2-44.

Faulkner hit one boundary and a six but failed to give the much needed impetus to the innings and was dismissed in the final over.