In the second ODI, Pakistan defeated Australia by nine wickets, leveling the three-match series at 1-1. This victory marks Pakistan’s first ODI win at the historic Adelaide ground in 28 years. The two teams have faced off eight times on this ground, with Australia winning seven. Pakistan’s most recent win in Adelaide came in 1996 when Wasim Akram captained the team and Saqlain Mushtaq starred with five wickets to secure the victory.
In this game, Australia posted a target of 164 runs for Pakistan to chase. Pakistani openers, Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique, gave a strong start, scoring 137 runs together. Saim Ayub played an aggressive inning of 82 runs, hitting six sixes and five fours, while Abdullah Shafique remained not out on 64 runs. Captain Babar Azam also stayed not out with 15 runs. The only wicket for Australia was taken by Adam Zampa.
Australia, batting first, was dismissed for 163 runs within 35 overs. Their openers tried to play aggressively, but at a total score of 21, Jack Fraser-McGurk was dismissed for 13 runs by Shaheen Afridi. Matthew Short also returned to the pavilion after scoring 19 runs. Among other Australian batters, Josh Inglis scored 18, Marnus Labuschagne 6, Steve Smith 35, Aaron Hardie 13, Glenn Maxwell 16, Pat Cummins 13, Adam Zampa 18, and Mitchell Starc scored just 1 run. For Pakistan, Haris Rauf took 5 wickets, Shaheen Afridi took 3, while Mohammad Hasnain and Naseem Shah took one each.
Pakistan’s innings started with Abdullah Shafique and Saim Ayub, with Saim scoring a brilliant 82, including six sixes and five fours, before getting out. Abdullah Shafique remained unbeaten on 64 with four fours and three sixes, while Babar Azam hit a six to lead Pakistan to victory, remaining not out on 15. Australia’s only wicket was taken by leg-spinner Adam Zampa, while senior fast bowlers like Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood remained wicketless.
Pakistan Squad: Captain Mohammad Rizwan, Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Salman Ali Agha, Irfan Khan Niazi, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain.
Australia Squad: Captain Pat Cummins, Matthew Short, Jack Fraser-McGurk, Steve Smith, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa.
