Pakistan 143 for 2 (Ayub 42, Shafique 37, Morris 2-24) batting Australia 140 (Abbott 30, Afridi 3-32, Naseem 3-54, Rauf 2-24) by eight wickets

But Pakistan seemed galvanized under Jason Gillespie, their Australian Test coach, who fills Kirsten’s shoes, and were ignited by a ferocious four-leg attack that sent a shorthanded Australia without their Test stars to 140 in just 31.5 overs.

There were no notorious wobblers for Pakistan who romped home in the 27th over.

Interim captain Josh Inglis opted not to use Morris until the 15th over with all-rounder Marcus Stoinis surprisingly given the new ball along with Spencer Johnson.

Skipper Mohammed Rizwan and Babar Azam, his predecessor, were nervous with a flurry of boundaries to complete a match that ended two hours before the scheduled closing time.

Several batters succumbed to hostile short balls, while all-rounder Cooper Connolly had to retire hurt on 7 after taking a blow on his left hand while trying to pull Mohammad Hasnain. He was taken for scans and did not feature in Pakistan’s innings.

Pakistan’s attack smartly did not get carried away by the bounce on offer as their quicks bowled relentless line and lengths to totally suffocate Australia, who would once again be disappointed by their shot selection on a surface that was not a minefield. No Australian batsman scored a half-century across the series.

Pakistan came into the unfamiliar 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 skipper Pat Cummins, Steven Smith, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Marnus Labuschagne were rested as they begin preparations for the first Test against India.

Australia had to shed their batting order but openers Matt Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk remained at the top of the order desperate to fire after struggling through the opening two games.

They looked keen to back up their ultra-aggressive methods and scored 12 runs in the opening over. But things quickly went downhill with Fraser-McGurk caught at second slip after trying to drive a good length delivery from Naseem.

He failed to move his feet in a dismissal common in Perth and his wicket brought to the crease all-rounder Aaron Hardie, who was elevated to no. 3 in a role he fills with aplomb for the Perth Scorchers in the BBL. Although he was at home, Hardie looked nervous and fell into a moment of indecision and reached second slip in a reward to Afridi, who conjured up beautiful seaming moves.

Short managed to come through the early barrage as he set his sights on furthering his bid to become Australia’s permanent ODI opener. But on the 22nd he picked square leg to give a wicket to Rauf, who was giddy with his luck.

Rauf stepped up and required Glenn Maxwell for a duck as Australia stared down the barrel of being routed for under 100. The only immediate worry for Pakistan was Afridi, who grimaced in pain after being hit on his left thumb and pitched against the stumps.

But he bounced back and was faced with a counter-attack from Sean Abbott, who top scored with 30. But Afridi ended Abbott’s resistance and then felled Morris to send the large contingent of Pakistani fans in the terraces into raptures as they continued to roar through the afternoon.