Adelaide (Web Desk): Pakistan thrashed Australia by 9 wickets in the second one-day international (ODI) of their three-match series at Adelaide Oval on Friday, leveling the series 1-1.
The victory, driven by Saim Ayub’s 82, Abdullah Shafique’s unbeaten 64, and Haris Rauf’s brilliant five-wicket haul, was Pakistan’s first win on Australian soil since 2017.
Chasing a modest target of 164, Pakistan’s openers provided a commanding start, putting together a partnership of 137 runs. Saim Ayub, the more aggressive of the pair, was dismissed for 82 off 71 balls, hitting five boundaries and six sixes.
Abdullah Shafique, however, anchored the chase, finishing unbeaten on 64 from 69 balls, which included four fours and three sixes. He was supported by Babar Azam, who contributed 15 not out from 20 balls, as Pakistan cruised to victory with 141 balls to spare, losing only one wicket.
Australia's total of 163 was never going to be enough as Pakistan’s bowlers dominated. Shaheen Shah Afridi was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3 wickets for 26 runs, and setting the tone early.
The Australian openers, Jake Fraser-McGurk (13) and Matthew Short (19), failed to provide a solid foundation and both fell to Afridi’s swing.
Steve Smith (35) and Josh Inglis (18) briefly steadied the ship with a 38-run partnership, but Haris Rauf broke through, removing Inglis caught behind in the 14th over. He then dismissed Marnus Labuschagne (6) in the following over, reducing Australia to 101/5.
Mohammad Hasnain further piled on the pressure by dismissing Smith, leaving Australia in deep trouble at 101/5 after 20.5 overs.
Rauf, building on his momentum, took two more wickets in quick succession, dismissing Aaron Hardie (13) and Glenn Maxwell (16). He rounded off his exceptional performance by removing Australian captain Pat Cummins (13), completing his second ODI five-wicket haul.
Late resistance came from Adam Zampa, who chipped in with 18 runs, but the Australian innings ended at just 163 in 35 overs. Rauf finished with stellar figures of 5/29 in eight overs, with Shaheen (3/26) and Naseem Shah (2/39) also contributing with the ball. Mohammad Hasnain picked up a wicket as well, rounding out a dominant performance from Pakistan’s pace attack.
With the series now tied at 1-1, the teams will head to Optus Stadium in Perth for the decider on Sunday, with both sides eager to claim the series win.
Playing XIs
Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan (c), Salman Ali Agha (vc), Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain.
Australia: Matt Short, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Steve Smith, Josh Inglis (wk), Marnus Labuschagne, Aaron Hardie, Glenn Maxwell, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa.