Pakistan has won an ODI in Australia after 28 years in Adelaide. The Pakistani openers, Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique, then easily chased down the easy target 163, finishing the match with a 9-wicket victory. This win has leveled the series at 1-1, setting up a thrilling decider in Perth.
In a thrilling display, Pakistan crushed Australia by nine wickets in the second One Day International (ODI) at Adelaide Oval, evening up the three-match series 1-1. Chasing a target of 164, Pakistan made it look easy, reaching 169/1 in just 26.3 overs. This powerful win has left Australia, the current ODI World Champions, on the ropes as they head into the series decider in Perth.
After winning the toss, Pakistan chose to bowl, and their bowlers dominated from the start. Haris Rauf led the attack, taking an impressive five wickets for just 29 runs, helping Pakistan tear through Australia’s batting order. Despite a solid start, Australia tumbled from 79/2 to 163 all out in 35 overs. Rauf’s sharp, accurate bowling put Australia’s middle order in a bind, with Shaheen Afridi providing crucial support by taking three wickets.
Australia’s top scorers, Steven Smith and Matt Short, could only manage 35 and 19 runs, respectively, as they struggled to handle Pakistan’s fierce bowling. Pakistan’s captain and wicketkeeper, Mohammad Rizwan, also played a key role, catching six balls behind the stumps and tying the ODI record for most dismissals by a keeper in a single match.
Pakistan’s Tremendous Batting
When Pakistan came into bat, openers Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique played with confidence and aggression. Ayub, in only his second ODI, hit a brilliant 82 off 71 balls, including a powerful flick for six against Mitchell Starc. Shafique backed him up with a solid 64* off 69 balls. Together, their 137-run partnership almost secured the victory before Ayub was dismissed by Adam Zampa.
Australian captain Pat Cummins admitted his team’s performance fell short and stressed the need to regroup before the final game. Cummins and other key Test players will now focus on their upcoming series against India, leaving a less experienced Australian squad, led by Josh Inglis, to face Pakistan in the decider.
With this win, Pakistan has a golden chance to claim the series in Perth. Fans celebrated Rauf and Ayub’s standout performances, which brought Pakistan their first ODI victory over Australia in Adelaide since 1996. Moreover, the final match promises an exciting showdown as both teams battle to take the series.
