Pakistan Defeats Australia by 9 Wickets in Adelaide

Pakistan dominated Australia in Adelaide to win the second ODI. Haris Rauf’s brilliant five-wicket haul helped restrict Australia to just 163 runs. Chasing this modest target, Pakistan's openers set the tone, securing a massive victory with 141 balls to spare, as Mohammad Rizwan's team triumphed by nine wickets. Babar Azam sealed the match in style with a six, giving Pakistan their first international win against Australia in Australia since 2017, ending a seven-year wait.

This victory marked Pakistan’s first ODI win in Adelaide in nearly three decades; their last ODI win against Australia here was in 1996. On the day Haris Rauf took his five-for, captain Mohammad Rizwan also made history with six catches, a joint record in ODI cricket. This was Pakistan’s second win in the last 15 ODIs against Australia on Australian soil and only their second victory in the last 30 matches across all formats in Australia.

After starting the series with a loss, Pakistan leveled it 1-1 by comfortably outplaying Australia. Chasing 164, Pakistan’s openers, Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique, put on a 137-run partnership, Pakistan’s second-highest opening stand against Australia in ODIs. Saim Ayub, who scored a brisk 50 off 52 balls, looked set for a century before Adam Zampa dismissed him for 82 in the 21st over.

 

 

 

 

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Abdullah Shafique then guided the remaining chase with Babar Azam at the other end, helping Pakistan reach the target in just 26.3 overs. Shafique remained unbeaten on 64, while Babar contributed 15 runs off 20 balls, hitting a six to seal the comprehensive nine-wicket win and bring the series level.

Earlier, after losing the toss, Australia could only manage 35 overs with the bat. Struggling against the pace of Haris Rauf and Shaheen Shah Afridi, Australian batters faltered, with Steve Smith top-scoring with 35 runs, and Matthew Short adding 19.

 

 

 

 

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Pakistan's pace attack claimed all 10 wickets, with Haris Rauf leading the charge, taking five wickets for just 29 runs. Shaheen Afridi picked up three wickets, while Naseem Shah and Mohammad Hasnain took one each.