Steve Smith responded to the challenge laid by coach Darren Lehmann by creaming a match-winning century as he and Peter Handscomb mastered Pakistan's spinners to propel Australia to a commanding seven-wicket victory in Perth.
The absence of star paceman Mitchell Starc did not stop Australia from returning to the winner's list on Thursday as the hosts claimed a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five series.
Set 264, Australia overcame an early stumble to stroll home with 30 balls to spare against a Pakistan side that will be ruing missed opportunities with bat and ball.
Lehmann had urged his top five to get the job done and his wish was granted. The modest Perth crowd had reason to believe they were in for a competitive game at the innings break but Smith turned the run chase into a no contest with his eighth one-day international ton.
The captain had debutant Handscomb riding shotgun with him for much of the afternoon, the pair combining for a game-changing 183-run partnership that took the game away from the world No.8.
Smith's unbeaten 108 came off only 104 balls but nearly all his runs came through conventional strokeplay. Not so Handscomb, who rode his luck in his 82. The Victorian was perilously close to being dismissed for a duck on Test debut and again in his first game in the green and gold.
He should have been out third ball after being caught at slip but was saved by a no-ball from Junaid Khan, which was not seen by the on-field umpire. Unaware, Handscomb was about to cross the rope and concede his wicket but for a frantic warning from reserve umpire Paul Wilson, who had raced down from the officials' room.
He was dropped at point on 10 but even if the regulation chance had been held by Mohammad Nawaz he would again have been reprieved by an overstepping Khan. "After that I put my head in and tried to bat properly," Handscomb said.
Pakistan's spinners were the key to their win in Melbourne but they received no assistance from the fast WACA wicket. The visitors' best was Mohammad Amir, who proved dangerous with his new-ball swing, but the rest of their attack lacked penetration.
Pakistan had laid the foundation for a total around 300, which would have been competitive, but lost a flurry of late wickets.
Josh Hazlewood was the pick of Australia's bowlers, returning the figures of 3/32 in an impressive display. His list of scalps included that of gun youngster Babar Azam, who joined the great Viv Richards among the four men fastest to reach 1000 runs in the 50-over game.
Azam top-scored with 84 before being brilliantly caught by Handscomb in the deep as Pakistan hit a snag in the final overs.
The visitors were given a flying start by Sharjeel, who creamed 20 runs from an over by newcomer Billy Stanlake, who has played just two first-class games.
But just when it seemed selectors were about to pay a heavy price for gambling on a quick with such little experience, Stanlake responded with maturity beyond his years and was rewarded with his maiden international wicket.
The giant quick was given a ringing endorsement by former captain Michael Clarke.
"He's good, there's no doubt about it, he's very talented, I like his action, he utilises his height bowls good pace, I think he's going to be a superstar," Clarke said.
"This will be great experience for him."
