Aaron Finch was 10 runs short of becoming the first Australian to score a hundred in three successive one-day internationals, but did enough to inspire his side to a series clinching win over Pakistan.
The Australia captain scored 90 before holing out to Haris Sohail on the long-on off the bowling of Yasir Shah at the Zayed Cricket Stadium.
His effort laid the platform for Australia to make 266-6 from their 50 overs. Pakistan fell 80 runs short in the chase, which gave the Australians a third win in three matches since returning to the UAE.
The tourists cut a markedly different image to that which left here at the end of 2018, after shambolic defeats in the Test and Twenty20 series.
Few players have had more of a turnaround in that time than the captain. Finch’s struggles were a symbol of the wider malaise the last time these two sides met.
Now, he cannot put a foot wrong. His innings in the capital followed match-winning contributions of 116 and 153 not out in the wins at Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the opening two matches of the five-game series.
In truth, scoring was difficult on a testing wicket and with the substantial boundaries at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, even for the in-form Finch.
He faced 136 balls in making 90, and the away side were grateful for a breezy, 55-ball innings of 71 from Glenn Maxwell to give their innings some late impetus.
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Pakistan’s reply was over before it had really even begun, after a fiery spell with the new ball by Pat Cummins.
The Australia fast-bowler shot out Shan Masood, Haris Sohail and Mohammed Rizwan to leave the hosts on 16 for three after seven overs.
Despite some resistance from Imam-ul-Haq, who top-scored with 46, and Shoaib Malik (32) and Umar Akmal (36), Pakistan were soundly beaten, with over five overs still remaining to them when they were bowled out for 186.