Pakistan Thrash Australia to Level ODI Series at 1-1
Australia's captain Pat Cummins admitted it wasn't their best performance. "You hope for more than 160," he said. "They bowled well, but we wanted a bigger score. We tried to be aggressive, but it wasn’t our day
In a dominant performance at the Adelaide Oval, Pakistan thrashed Australia by nine wickets to level the series 1-1. Chasing a modest target of 164, Pakistan comfortably reached 169-1 with 141 balls to spare, following a brilliant bowling display by Haris Rauf, who claimed 5-29 to help dismiss Australia for just 163.
The match started with a slow chase as openers Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique were initially kept in check by Australia's pace attack. The pair scored just 47 runs in the first 10 overs, but soon after, Ayub began to accelerate, hitting a big six off Pat Cummins followed by another off Mitchell Starc. Ayub, who was dropped by Adam Zampa on 47, went on to bring up his maiden ODI half-century. Shafique also joined in the fireworks, smashing some massive sixes.
Ayub was dismissed for 82 after a 71-ball knock, including five fours and six sixes, caught off the bowling of Zampa. Pakistan's captain Babar Azam (15 not out) joined Shafique, and together they saw Pakistan to a comfortable win, with Shafique remaining unbeaten on 64. They finished the match in style, hitting the 10th six of their innings.
"I’m happy that we won, the most important thing is the team win," said Ayub. "We planned to stay positive and play as a team. Credit also goes to Haris Rauf, but all our bowlers supported him well."
Earlier, Pakistan's bowling attack had dominated, with Rauf causing major problems for Australia after Pakistan won the toss and opted to bowl. Australia’s top scorer was Steve Smith with 35 as they were bowled out in the 35th over. Rizwan, standing behind the stumps, had a perfect day, taking six catches.
Australia's captain Pat Cummins admitted it wasn't their best performance. "You hope for more than 160," he said. "They bowled well, but we wanted a bigger score. We tried to be aggressive, but it wasn’t our day."
Australia, missing key players Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head, who are on paternity leave, struggled throughout their innings. Youngster Jake Fraser-McGurk impressed briefly with three boundaries but was dismissed for 13. Matt Short survived a dropped catch on eight but could only make 19 before being caught off Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Rauf and Rizwan’s brilliant partnership continued as they dismantled Australia’s middle order, with Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, and Aaron Hardie falling cheaply. Glenn Maxwell, Australia’s danger man, was bowled by Rauf for 16. The fast bowler's five-wicket haul was his second in ODIs, and it sealed a dominant performance from Pakistan.
The series is now tied at 1-1, with the decider set to take place on Sunday at Perth Stadium.