Glenn Maxwell holds his nerve in final over to bowl out Pakistan

Australia clinched a series sweep over Pakistan thanks to a thrilling one-run triumph in the third and final one-dayer in Abu Dhabi.

Glenn Maxwell was the unlikely hero with the ball for the Australians, sending down a double-wicket maiden after Pakistan had started the final over of the low-scoring contest needing just two runs to claim a consolation victory.

However Sohail Tanvir was bowled by the second ball and then having blocked his first delivery before swinging and missing at the next two, last man Mohammad Irfan was caught at cover off the last.

It was another tough loss for Pakistan; they had appeared on course to overhaul Australia's 231-9 despite regularly losing wickets in their run chase after good work at the top of the order by Ahmed Shahzad (26) and Sarfraz Ahmed (32).

Without the services of regular captain Misbah-ul-Haq, who had surprisingly stood down from the team after a poor run of form, they were anchored by an even 50 from Asad Shafiq, while Sohaib Maqsood contributed 34.

Yet the pair both fell in quick succession and Australia continued to chip away, at one stage reducing their opponents to 208-8 at the start of the 47th over despite useful contributions from Umar Amin (19) and Anwar Ali (14).

Tanvir and Zulfiqar Babar - who ended up stuck at the non-striker's end to finish unbeaten on 14 - steadily chipped away to get Pakistan within touching distance of victory, only for Maxwell's off-spin to scupper their hopes in a dramatic climax.

Contrasting half-centuries

Australia’s score earlier in the day had been built on contrasting half-centuries from David Warner and Steve Smith after they had won the toss and opted to bat first at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium.

Warner made 56 from 63 deliveries with six fours and a six, the opener the strong partner in an opening-wicket stand of 48 with Aaron Finch (18) before adding a further 54 in alliance with Smith.

The left-hander hit spinner Babar for his solitary maximum to to reach his ninth 50 in the format before offering a return catch to stand-in Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi to leave the score at 102-2.

Australia skipper George Bailey failed to trouble the scorers as he fell in the following over to Irfan, while Afridi accounted for the dangerous Maxwell for 20 when Umar Amin held on to a catch in the deep.

The impressive Tanvir accounted for Phil Hughes (five) and after Brad Haddin was run out for two, the seamer sent back Smith for a top score of 77. The same bowler also removed James Faulkner (33) to finish with 3-40 from his 10 overs.

The two nations now switch their attention to Test cricket, with their three-match series getting underway on October 22 in Dubai. Australia have a warm-up match before then, taking on Pakistan A in Sharjah in a four-day fixture.