AUS Vs PAK, 2nd ODI: Pakistan have created history by inflicting a defeat on Australia at the Adelaide Oval for the first time in 28 years, as the 1992 World Champions have won their first ODI against the Kangaroos at the venue since 1996.
The Mohammad Rizwan-led side were brilliant on all fronts in the 2nd ODI on Friday, as not only they managed to bundle out Australia for their 3rd lowest ODI total against them, but also hand Australia one of their heaviest ever defeats against the very same side in their 9-wicket win.
The manner of defeat will definitely be disturbing for the home side, as they were expected to wrap the series 3-0, and with the series now levelled at 1-1, the think tank of Australia has some homework to do, as they go back to the drawing board on what went wrong in a forgettable match for the record-world champions.
Needing merely 164 to win, Pakistan openers (Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique) took a cautious approach, as the duo have not been scoring well whenever paired together lately.
The powerplay ended at 47/0, as the pair managed to see-off the danger of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood.
Saim Ayub went all-guns blazing after the conclusion of powerplay, as Pakistan managed to score 90 runs in the next 10 overs to put the game to bed.
The Pakistan opener, in the process, managed to score his maiden ODI fifty, and fell 18 short off his first-ever century. His blistering knock of 82 included 5 fours, and 6 sixes, and some of hits were just a thing of beauty.
Flipped around the corner - for SIX! #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/9D7sWOCoFM
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 8, 2024
His opening partner, Abdullah Shafique, who was immensely struggling during the powerplay, managed to score his 5th ODI fifty at a very brisk rate, as both openers put in valuable contributions to see their side home and create history.
The winning runs came off the bat of former captain Babar Azam, as he struck Adam Zampa for an astonishing six, and Abdullah Shafique remained unbeaten at 64 off 69 balls.
