Australia beat Pakitsan by 40 runs in the third one day international at the Adelaide Oval on Tuesday to take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.
A controlled spell of bowling from man-of-the-match Ryan Harris (five for 43), playing in only his second one-day international, and Clint McKay - who chipped in with three wickets - ensured the hosts managed to hold on to their advantage even though the visitors' threatened an upset in the middle overs.
Chasing a mammoth 287 to win the match and keep their interests in the series alive, Pakistan was eventually dismissed for 246.
Umar Akmal was the top scorer ffor the visitors with 59 while there were also significant contributions from captain Shahid Afridi (40), opener Salman Butt (34), Fawad Alam (33) and Rana Naved (also 33).
In fact, Umar and Alam put on 85 runs for the fifth wicket, the best partnership in the Pakistan innings.
But it wasn't enough to take them through.
Earlier, Shaun Marsh (83) and Michael Clarke (80) made facile half centuries and Michael Hussey made a quickfire 49 to help the hosts post a formidable 286 for six.
Clarke anchored the innings to perfection, being the common thread in three crucial partnerships - 85 runs for the third wicket with Shaun Marsh, 55 runs for the fourth with Cameron White (28) and a significant 80 runs for the sixth with Hussey.
Opener Shane Watson (33) and Marsh had earlier given hosts the perfect start putting on 63 runs for the opening wicket.
