Pakistan's cricket team marked a significant achievement on November 8, 2024, by defeating Australia by nine wickets in the second ODI at Adelaide Oval, leveling the series 1-1. This victory ended a seven-year wait for an ODI win on Australian soil, with Haris Rauf claiming five wickets and promising young talent Saim Ayub scoring an impressive 82 runs.
A Memorable Win for Pakistan
In a thrilling match, Pakistan recorded its first ODI win in Australia since 2017. After winning the toss and opting to bowl first, the fast bowlers delivered an outstanding performance, with Haris Rauf taking 5 wickets for just 29 runs and Shaheen Afridi contributing 3 wickets for 26 runs. Their efforts dismantled the Australian batting lineup, which crumbled to a mere 163 runs in just 35 overs.
In response, Pakistan swiftly chased down the target in 26.3 overs, thanks largely to Saim Ayub's stellar innings of 82 runs off 71 balls. This match marked only Ayub's second appearance in ODIs, yet he exhibited remarkable composure and skill against renowned bowlers such as Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Pat Cummins.
Saim Ayub Shines Brightly
Initially cautious, Ayub scored only 15 runs off his first 30 balls before finding his rhythm. He sparked to life in the 11th over, hitting a six against Cummins and following it up with 14 runs off Starc in the next over. Ayub was given a reprieve on 47 when he was dropped by Zampa and soon reached his half-century off 52 deliveries. With determination to secure his first ODI century, he launched a fierce assault, striking the ball confidently across the Adelaide Oval.
Sadly, his innings ended at 82 runs, with Pakistan losing its first wicket at 137 runs in the 21st over. Following Ayub's dismissal, Abdullah Shafique (64 not out) and Babar Azam (15 not out) guided Pakistan home without losing any further wickets, achieving a historic victory after a disheartening streak of 11 consecutive losses in Australia across all formats since January 2017.
Australia’s Struggles at the Start
Australia began their innings briskly, with openers Jake Fraser McGurk (13 off 10) and Matthew Short (19 off 15) contributing to a 20-run partnership in the first two overs. However, Afridi quickly struck, dismissing Fraser-McGurk leg before wicket in the third over. Short was granted a lifeline in the fourth over after being dropped but was eventually dismissed in the seventh over, caught at cover point.
Josh Inglis joined Steve Smith in the middle and together they added 38 runs for the third wicket, but their partnership was cut short when Rauf claimed Inglis’s wicket (18 off 25), leaving Australia reeling at 41 for 2.
Rauf's Bowling Brilliance
Marnus Labuschagne entered next but failed to make a significant impact, edging a delivery from Rauf that was caught by captain Rizwan. Mohammad Hasnain then took a vital wicket, dismissing Steve Smith (35 off 48) to leave Australia in dire straits at 101 for 5 after 21 overs. After an initial four-over spell, Rauf returned to the attack in the 26th over, quickly claiming another wicket by catching Aaron Hardie’s edge. His momentum continued, taking the key wicket of Glenn Maxwell, who accidentally chopped the ball onto his stumps. Rauf capped off a stellar performance by dismissing Pat Cummins, who edged a bouncer to Rizwan, thus achieving his second five-wicket haul in ODIs and earning the Player of the Match award. With this impressive win, the series stands level at 1-1. The final ODI is scheduled to take place on Sunday, November 10, at Perth Stadium, where both teams will look to clinch the series.
Conclusion
Pakistan's remarkable victory over Australia in the second ODI was a testament to their resilience and skill, particularly highlighted by Haris Rauf's exceptional bowling and Saim Ayub's explosive batting. This win not only breaks a long-standing drought in Australia but also revitalizes Pakistan's confidence as they head into the final match of the series. As they aim to build on this success, fans will be eager to see how the team performs in Perth.
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