New Delhi: A sensational bowling performance, headlined by Haris Rauf’s superb five-wicket-haul and blazing opening partnership between Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique powered Pakistan to a crushing 9-wicket win over Australia in the second ODI at the Adelaide Oval.
Pakistan produced an all-round display and outplayed the hosts in all three departments to cruise to a series-levelling win. Australia won the opening ODI on Monday by 2 wickets.
After bowling out Australia for a paltry 163 in 35 overs, Pakistan cruised to win in just 26.3 overs courtesy of a maiden half-century by Saim Ayub and an unbeaten 64-run knock by Abdullah Shafique. The opening combination punished Australian bowlers by adding 137 runs in just 20.2 overs.
Ayub, the lone Pakistani wicket to fall, was dismissed by Adam Zampa. The left-handed batter’s 82 off 71 was laced with five fours and six maximums. Meanwhile, Shafique struck four fours and three sixes.
Iconic batter Babar Azam hit the winning runs, smacking Zampa over midwicket for a maximum. Pakistan hit a whopping ten sixes in the chase as well.
Pakistan’s quicks set up a huge win in Adelaide! #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/Q3VVNpf0HO
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 8, 2024
PAK bowlers breathe fire
Pakistan bowlers backed Mohammad Rizwan’s decision to bowl first and destroyed the Australian top order. Shaheen Shah Afridi got the party started with a devastating new ball spell. He first dismissed Jake Fraser-McGurk (13) in the second over and then the other opener Matthew Short (19) in his fourth over to give Pakistan the perfect start.
If Shaheen was the chief tormentor with the new ball, Haris Rauf was the destructor-in-chief in the middle overs. Rauf’s blistering spell broke the back of the Aussie batting order as they slumped to their lowest total in ODI cricket against Pakistan.
Rauf, pick of the Pakistani bowlers, was deservedly named Player of the Match for his sensational spell of 5/29 in 8 overs. Meanwhile, Afridi snared three wickets for the Men in Green.
It was a landmark day for Rizwan, who not only led his team to a historic win but also equalled a world record for effecting most dismissals (by a wicketkeeper) in ODI cricket.
Pakistan’s win perfectly sets up the series with the third and final to be played at Perth on Sunday, November 10.
AUS vs PAK, 2nd ODI: Fast bowlers, led by a rampant Haris Rauf, set up Pakistan’s series-levelling victory against Australia in Adelaide. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
