Australia beat Pakistan by seven wickets in 3rd ODI

Perth, Jan 19 (IANS) Steve Smith's unbeaten eighth One-Day International (ODI) ton helped Australia to beat Pakistan by seven wickets in the third match at the Western Australia Cricket Association ground here on Thursday.

With this victory, the hosts now have an important 2-1 lead in the five-match series.

Chasing 263, Australia started the match on a cautious note, scoring 44 runs in eight overs. But just when things seemed good for the hosts, they lost two quick wickets in back to back overs.

After Australia were delicately poised at 46 for two, Smith (108 not out) forged an 183-run third-wicket partnership with debutant Peter Handscomb (82) as the hosts chased down 264 in the 45th over.

For Pakistan, Mohammad Amir, Junaid Khan and Hasan Ali chipped in with one wicket each.

Earlier, put in to bat, Sharjeel Khan (50) and Babar Azam (84) made gritty knocks to help Pakistan to 263/7 in their allotted 50 overs.

Apart from them, Shoaib Malik (39) and Umar Akmal (39) also contributed for the cause.

For Australia, Josh Hazlewood scalped three wickets while Travis Head took two wickets.

Brief scores: Pakistan 263-7 (Azam 84, Sharjeel 50, Hazlewood 3-32) against Australia 265-3 (Smith 108 not out, Handscomb 82; Amir 1-36)