Pakistan Levels Series with Dominant 9-Wicket Win Over Australia

Grassroots Cricket|

After a loss in the first ODI, Pakistan bounced back emphatically in the second ODI in Adelaide, securing a commanding 9-wicket win over Australia to level the series.

Pakistan won the toss and opted to bowl. Haris Rauf led Pakistan’s pace attack with a five-wicket haul, dismantling the Australian batting order and limiting them to a modest 163 all out in just 35 overs. Rauf’s stellar performance was complemented by Shaheen Shah Afridi, who removed both Australian openers, Jake Fraser-McGurk and Matthew Short, in his opening spell. Afridi finished with three wickets, while Naseem Shah and Mohammad Hasnain picked up one each.

Australia’s batting struggles were highlighted as several Australian batsmen managed to get into double figures but couldn’t capitalize with the top scorer being Steven Smith with 35. This marked Pakistan’s first ODI win on Australian soil since January 2017, when they last achieved victory under Mohammad Hafeez’s captaincy.

Captain Mohammad Rizwan had a standout day behind the stumps, equaling the world record with six catches in a single ODI match. He narrowly missed setting a new record when he dropped a high catch offered by Adam Zampa in the 34th over.

Pakistan’s chase was straightforward, led by openers Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique. Ayub scored a brisk 82 off 71 balls, while Shafique contributed an unbeaten 64 off 69, guiding Pakistan to a comfortable victory with nine wickets in hand.

Scores in Brief:

Australia: 163 (Steven Smith 35; Adam Zampa 1/44)

Pakistan: 169/1 (Saim Ayub 82, Abdullah Shafique 64*; Haris Rauf 5/29)

Player of the match: Haris Rauf

Pakistan won by 9 wickets