Cricket world slams 'ridiculous' move that helped David Warner get fairytale farewell

Pakistan have conceded Aamir Jamal should have bowled earlier on Saturday as Australia won the third Test at the SCG to send off the retiring David Warner in perfect fashion. Warner made a fairytale farewell to Test cricket, blasting a quick-fire 57 as Australia chased down a target of 130 with eight wickets in hand.

The departing opener was largely untroubled by Pakistan's bowling attack, which didn't feature series star Aamir until it was way too late. Playing his first series in Test cricket, Aamir finished with the second-most wickets of the series (18) - just one behind Aussie captain Pat Cummins.

'DON'T LIKE IT': Ricky Ponting smacks down Steve Smith move

'NOT GOOD': Steve Smith called out over ugly act after dismissal

He snared six wickets on day three as Australia lost 5-10 to be bowled out for 299, sparking calls from commentators for him to open the bowling in the second innings. With Pakistan defending a small total, many had called for Aamir to be handed the new ball.

But he was inexplicably snubbed of that honour and had to wait until well into Australia's innings to get a bowl at all. Pakistan captain Shan Masood opted to use Sajid Khan, Mir Hamza, Hasan Ali and Salman Ali Agha before he finally threw the ball to Aamir, who only got 3.5 overs before Australia reached the victory target.

The decision to use Sajid with the new ball paid dividends when he sent Usman Khawaja packing for a duck, but Warner and Marnus Labuschagne looked completely comfortable from then on as they put on a century partnership for the second wicket. The decision to keep Aamir on ice was blasted by the likes of Ricky Ponting, Greg Blewett and Callum Ferguson in commentary, and Pakistan coach Mohammad Hafeez conceded Masood got it wrong.

"Every bowler was available but it was the captain's tactics," Hafeez said after the match. "One thing was very sure - that we wanted to bowl more from the off-spinners because this track can offer plenty of assistance to the off-spinners from the far end. But the rest of the things, the captain whoever he thinks is the best, he proceeded accordingly."

"Tactically, yes (Aamir) should have bowled earlier. But sometimes ... the captain is the best judge, who he feels like (bowling according to the) tactics."

Cricket world fumes over 'ridiculous' snub of Aamir Jamal

Aamir claimed two six-wicket hauls in the three-match series and had taken the wicket of every Australian player at some point. But by the time he came on to bowl, Australia were already 1-97 and only 33 runs from victory.

"We were all wondering in the lead up to lunch where on earth was Aamir Jamal," Ponting said. "Pakistan's leading wicket-taker in the series, he's only one behind Pat Cummins. Can you imagine Pat Cummins not bowling?

"I don't mind off-spin starting to two left-handers and it resulted in Usman Khawaja being dismissed early, but now the game is almost gone. He has dismissed every Australian player from one to 11 at least once in the series, 18 wickets in all, he has the competitive spirit, the urge to be running in and seeing how it can swing a game, but it is too late."

Warner hit 57 from 75 balls before being trapped lbw by Sajid with Australia 11 runs short of their target. The opener left to a standing ovation, before Australia sealed a 3-0 clean sweep of the tourists in the next over.

"It's pretty much a dream come true," Warner said. "You win 3-0 and cap off what has been a great 18 months for the team.

"I said to Marnus ... 'I've got nothing to lose so I'm going to go out there and play the way that I do'. I've always said (with) low totals, you've got to come out and be very positive. That's what I set out to do.

"I enjoyed the way that I went about it out there. I played with freedom. I was relaxed. I'm always calm and clear. But today was the end, so I I wanted to go out my way."

with AAP

Sign up to our newsletter and score the biggest sport stories of the week.