ADELAIDE – Pakistan secured a commanding victory over Australia in the second ODI of the three-match series at Adelaide Oval on Friday, thanks to a five-wicket haul by Haris Rauf and an 82-run knock by Saim Ayub.
Chasing a target of 164, Pakistan comfortably reached the total with the loss of just one wicket in the 27th over. Openers Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique put up a solid partnership, bringing Pakistan within reach of victory before Ayub was dismissed by Adam Zampa.
Babar Azam then joined Shafique, and together they easily surpassed the target, leveling the series 1-1.
Earlier, Pakistan won the toss and elected to bowl, a decision that worked in their favor. Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi led the bowling attack, taking eight wickets between them as Australia were bowled out for 163.
Rauf claimed an impressive five-wicket haul, while Afridi took three wickets. Mohammad Hasnain and Naseem Shah each contributed with a wicket. Afridi gave Pakistan an early breakthrough by dismissing openers Matthew Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk.
Mohammad Haris delivered a match-winning performance in the second ODI by dismissing five key Australian players—Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Aaron Hardie, Glenn Maxwell, and Pat Cummins—while Mohammad Hasnain took the crucial wicket of Steve Smith, dealing a major blow to the hosts.
Steve Smith was the only Australian batter to put up a fight, scoring 35 runs, while no other player managed to surpass 20.
In the first ODI on Monday, Australia secured a narrow two-wicket win. Chasing a target of 204, the Pat Cummins-led side reached the mark in 33.3 overs, with the skipper playing a vital role with an unbeaten 32 off 31 balls, hitting four boundaries.
Despite a strong effort from Pakistan’s pace attack—Haris Rauf (3-67), Shaheen Shah Afridi (2-43), Naseem Shah (1-39), and Mohammad Hasnain (1-51)—which collectively took seven wickets, they were unable to prevent the defeat.
- Pakistan win 2nd ODI
