In a dominant performance at the 2nd ODI in Adelaide, Pakistan clinched a 9-wicket victory over Australia, chasing down the 164-run target with ease and 141 balls to spare.
Pakistan: (26.3/50 ov, T:164) 169/1
Australia: (35/50 ov) 163
Man of the Match: Haris Rauf
Saim Ayub said: "The most important thing is the team won. We planned to be positive and not to think about the result but most important thing is how we play as a team. We are staying positive and trying to stay calm. Whoever is bowling, the ball is coming out of the hand. It's about watching the ball, staying positive and trusting myself. Victory always gives you confidence and as a team we are committed to our team values and being positive. Everybody is getting along well. We will try to steal the series. Credit goes to Haris Rauf, but the other bowlers also supported him well."
Haris Rauf is the player of the match
"We are so happy to win this game. Yeah, Pakistan fans come out to see us everywhere in the world. [On BBL experience helping him] I've played a lot for Melbourne Stars, so I know these conditions where we bowl"
PCB Naqvi praises Pakistan’s historic victory
Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Mohsin Naqvi, celebrated Pakistan’s emphatic 9-wicket win over Australia in the second ODI, extending heartfelt congratulations to the entire team. Naqvi commended the outstanding performance, highlighting the pivotal role of bowlers Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi in dismantling Australia’s batting lineup with their exceptional bowling.
Naqvi lauded Captain Mohammad Rizwan for his skilled wicketkeeping, as Rizwan recorded six catches behind the stumps, and praised batters Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique for their responsible knocks that steered Pakistan to a memorable victory.
“Fielding, bowling, and batting were all commendable, with every player contributing to this historic win on Australian soil,” Naqvi said, adding that the performance has cheered the nation. He expressed hope that the victory will lift the team’s morale and inspire further success in the upcoming matches.
Abdullah Shafique led the charge with a solid 64 off 69 balls, while Saim Ayub set the tone early with an impressive 82 from 71 deliveries before his dismissal at 137/1.
Babar Azam contributed an unbeaten 15 runs as Pakistan secured the win, tying the series. Adam Zampa claimed the sole wicket for Australia, who struggled to defend their modest total of 163.
Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan won the toss and elected to bowl first in the crucial second ODI against Australia at Adelaide Oval. The visitors face a must-win situation after trailing 0-1 in the three-match series.
Pakistan's fast bowlers dominated throughout, with Haris Rauf claiming four wickets and Naseem Shah and Afridi each adding two. Zampa, despite resistance with two boundaries and a six, fell to Afridi’s pinpoint bowling. Naseem’s tight spell saw a highlight reel of near misses, including a dropped catch by wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan, which nearly set a world record for most dismissals by a keeper in an ODI.
Pakistan's relentless pace attack kept Australia on the back foot, leading to a historic low score and a significant victory for Pakistan in Adelaide.
Pakistan’s pace attack, led by Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah, dismantled Australia’s batting lineup in a dominant display at Adelaide. Rauf was exceptional, claiming four wickets for just 27 runs in six overs, while Naseem provided crucial support with a breakthrough, dismissing Mitchell Starc with his first wicket of the game.
By the 29th over, Australia had slumped to 131/8, as Pakistani bowlers exploited the conditions with precision and intensity. With wickets falling regularly, including five catches by Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan's bowlers have kept the pressure high, leaving Australia struggling to survive till the end of the innings.
The Pakistan squad maintains their previous lineup, showing confidence in the team despite their opening loss. Australia, however, strengthens their bowling attack by bringing in experienced pacer Josh Hazlewood to replace Sean Abbott.
Australian batting will rely on the dynamic opening pair of Matthew Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk, followed by the solid middle order featuring Steven Smith and Glenn Maxwell. Pat Cummins leads the home team's bowling unit, supported by Mitchell Starc and spin specialist Adam Zampa.
For Pakistan, the batting responsibility rests on the shoulders of Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, and skipper Rizwan. The pace trio of Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf aims to challenge Australia's batting lineup on the Adelaide pitch.
Playing XIs:
Australia: Short, Fraser-McGurk, Smith, Inglis (wk), Labuschagne, Maxwell, Hardie, Cummins (c), Starc, Zampa, Hazlewood
Pakistan: Shafique, Ayub, Azam, Rizwan (c & wk), Ghulam, Salman, Khan, Afridi, Shah, Rauf, Hasnain
A victory today would secure the series for Australia, while Pakistan needs to win to force a deciding third match. The Adelaide Oval's conditions promise an exciting battle between these cricket powerhouses.
