Shadab Khan of Pakistan (AP Photo)

Pakistan overcame a tough challenge from Australia’s spinners on a tough surface to win the third and final ODI by four wickets on Thursday to clinch the series 2-1, their third consecutive bilateral ODI series win over the world champions.Chasing a modest target of 158 runs on a turning wicket in Lahore, Pakistan had to work hard before reaching 161/6 in 41.5 overs. All-rounder Shadab Khan remained unbeaten on 29 after taking the first two wickets, while Abdul Samad remained unbeaten on 18 as the pair powered the hosts to victory with an unbroken stand after Pakistan slipped to 112/6.“It was a complete team effort throughout the series,” Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi said after finishing with figures of 3-30. “The conditions were difficult for the batsmen, but every run counted and all our bowlers executed their plans well.”Australia’s fall despite British resistanceAustralia, who won the toss and elected to bat first, were all out for 157 in 42 overs, their lowest ODI score in Pakistan. Josh Inglis put up a lone fight, scoring 65 off 71 balls and forming useful partnerships with Marnus Labuschagne and Alex Carey, but the visitors suffered another dramatic collapse.Having reached a relatively comfortable position, Australia lost their last seven wickets for just 38 runs as Pakistan’s pace and spin attack tightened the screws.Haris Rauf started the slide by dismissing Carey, before Afridi dismissed Inglis and Cameron Green twice in an over with the old ball. Leg spinner Abrar Ahmed claimed 2-19, while Shadab ended his streak of five wicketless ODIs with figures of 2-28.Shadab and Samad finished the workChasing Pakistan was also not easy. Babar Azam played a patient innings of 40 off 84 balls before left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnman, who finished with 3-38, clean bowled him with a ball that veered sharply onto the off stump.With Pakistan six wickets down and the match balanced, Shadab and Samad showed remarkable composure on the attacking surface. Australia failed to find another breakthrough and Shadab eventually sealed the win in spectacular fashion by dispatching Adam Zampa to the long-on boundary.“Like the first game, we got too many runs behind,” Australian captain Josh Inglis admitted after the loss.