ADELAIDE: Pakistan’s opener Saim Ayub played an excellent knock to lead his side to a historic victory over Australia in the 2nd ODI of the three-match series at Adelaide Oval on Friday.
Pakistan chased down the 163-run target in 26.3 overs to register their first ODI win against the Kangaroos at Adelaide Oval in 28 years. Pakistan last beat Australia at Adelaide Oval in 1996.
The new opening combination registered an impressive partnership of 137 runs in 20.2 overs.
Abdullah Shafique scored 64 runs and remained not out, while Saim Ayub played an aggressive innings of 82 runs, which included 5 fours and 6 sixes.
The winning runs came off the bat of former captain Babar Azam, as he struck Adam Zampa for an astonishing six.
Earlier, asked to bat first, the Australian batting lineup struggled against a disciplined Pakistan bowling performance. Rauf’s fifer and Shaheen Shah Afridi’s three-wicket haul dismantled the hosts, Australia, for 163 in 35 overs.
After the early setbacks, Steve Smith teamed up with wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis to build a recovery partnership. However, the pair could only add 38 runs before Rauf struck, dismissing Inglis for 18 and Marnus Labuschagne for just six off 11 balls.
Mohammad Hasnain then dealt another blow, dismissing Smith for 35 (48 balls), reducing Australia to 101/5 in the 21st over.
Smith was the top scorer for Australia, hitting six boundaries and one six.
Rauf, gaining momentum, took two more wickets in successive overs—removing Aaron Hardie (13) and Glenn Maxwell (16). He completed his second ODI five-wicket haul by dismissing Australian captain Pat Cummins for 13.
Adam Zampa added a brief 18-run cameo at the end, but was cleaned up by Shaheen in the 35th over.
Rauf finished with outstanding bowling figures of 5/29 in eight overs, while Shaheen and Naseem Shah took three and two wickets respectively, and Hasnain claimed one.
Earlier, Pakistan’s skipper Mohammad Rizwan won the toss and elected to bowl first against Australia in the second ODI of the three-match series.
Mohammad Rizwan said that Pakistan maintains their previous lineup. Australia, however, made one change to strengthen their bowling attack, replacing Sean Abbott with pacer Josh Hazlewood.
Australia leads the three-match series 1-0.
Pak vs AUS head-to-head
Pakistan and Australia have met 109 times in One Day Internationals. with the six-time World Cup champions holding a dominant edge, winning 71 matches compared to Pakistan’s 34.
Australia’s record in ODIs on home soil is equally strong, having won 38 of their 57 encounters, while Pakistan has secured 17 victories in Australia.
Pakistan will play three ODIs and as many T20Is against Australia before traveling to Zimbabwe for a bilateral white-ball cricket series.
The Australia tour will run from November 4 to 18, while the matches in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, will be played from November 24 to December 5.
This is Pakistan’s first ODI series after its group stage exit from the 2023 World Cup. On the other hand, Australia last played an ODI series in September, defeating arch-rivals England 3-2 in a five-match series.
Playing XIs
Pakistan squad: Mohammad Rizwan (c), Salman Ali Agha (vc), Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub,Muhammad Irfan Khan, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Hasnain.
Australia squad: 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.
