Australia was handed a surprise ODI series loss by Pakistan, who after losing the first ODI, made a grand comeback and outplayed the hosts in the next two matches to pocket the series 2-1.
Under new captain Mohammad Rizwan, the Pakistan team showed renewed vigor and continued their good form from the England Test series win at home. Pakistani pacers Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah rattled Australia as Pakistan won their first ODI series down under since 2002.
Due to a break before the Border Gavaskar Trophy, which begins on November 22, many of Australia's best players did not participate in the series.
Pat Cummins, Australia's regular skipper who was left out of the last match, was in Sydney for a Coldplay concert when his country was being thrashed in the third ODI in Perth.
Becky, the wife of Pat Cummins, posted a picture of the two of them on her Instagram account, writing, "Excitement levels are high!"
Australian media was not too kind. Sydney Morning Herald wrote a piece titled "Why Cummins was at Coldplay while Australia were smashed" The Australian's opinion piece on the incident was titled: "Cummins' concert jaunt a cold start to summer."
Michael Clarke, the former captain of Australia, voiced serious reservations over the team's management's choice to rest important players in the third and final ODI match against Pakistan. This decision helped Pakistan defeat Australia in the ODI series for the first time in 22 years on their home ground.
Clarke expressed his annoyance on Big Sports Breakfast, asking why the squad put key players' rest ahead of their chances of winning the series. Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood were rested for the third ODI with Josh Inglis captaining the side for the first time.
"I'm just a bit confused. With 11 days between now and the first Test, why can't the Aussie boys who are part of this Test series play in the one-dayer?" Clarke said.
Pakistan and Australia will lock horns in a three-match T20I series beginning on November 14 at The Gabba, Brisbane.
(With IANS and ANI inputs)
