Lahore (Web Desk): Australia bounced back strongly to defeat Pakistan by 41 runs in the second ODI at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday, drawing the three-match series level at 1-1.
The visitors owed their success to a match-winning spell from Nathan Ellis and a valuable all-round display by Matthew Short, who played key roles with both bat and ball.
Set a target of 232, Pakistan struggled from the outset and were eventually bowled out for 190 in 44 overs. Despite a determined knock from Shadab Khan, who battled hard for 71 runs, the hosts were unable to recover from a shaky start that left them under pressure throughout the chase.
Australia made the perfect breakthrough when Ellis dismissed Maaz Sadaqat without a run on the board in the opening over. Matthew Kuhnemann then removed Sahibzada Farhan, leaving Pakistan in deep trouble at 6-2. The pressure intensified when Ellis trapped Babar Azam leg-before for 16, before Matthew Short struck twice to send Salman Agha and Abdul Samad back to the pavilion, reducing Pakistan to 58-5.
Ghazi Ghori attempted to rebuild the innings with a patient 37-run effort, but Adam Zampa ended his resistance and further dented Pakistan’s hopes at 78-6. Arafat Minhas chipped in with 33 useful runs, only to fall to Ellis, who continued to dominate with the ball. Shadab remained Pakistan’s lone fighter, spending 104 deliveries at the crease and hitting three sixes during his gritty innings, but his efforts were not enough to change the outcome.
Ellis finished as Australia’s standout bowler with excellent figures of 4 for 33, while Short claimed three wickets for 36 runs. Kuhnemann, Zampa and Tanveer Sangha also made valuable contributions with a wicket each.
Earlier, Pakistan’s bowlers delivered a disciplined performance to restrict Australia to 231 for 9 after captain Shaheen Shah Afridi opted to bowl first. Shaheen made an immediate impact by dismissing Alex Carey with the very first ball of the match, setting the tone for a strong start. Australia then slipped to 51-3 as Abrar Ahmed removed Matthew Short and Arafat Minhas accounted for Marnus Labuschagne.
Australian skipper Josh Inglis steadied the innings with a composed 51 from 74 balls before Minhas broke the partnership. Cameron Green then took charge of the recovery, compiling a well-crafted 53 and adding crucial runs alongside Inglis and Matt Renshaw, who contributed an aggressive 43.
A late flourish from Oliver Peake, who scored 31 valuable runs, helped Australia push their total beyond the 230 mark. For Pakistan, Shaheen led the attack with figures of 3 for 36, while Abrar Ahmed, Arafat Minhas and Haris Rauf picked up two wickets each.