In the Australia vs Pakistan second ODI, Haris Rauf’s impressive 5-29 and a strong 137-run opening stand by Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique led Pakistan to a resounding nine-wicket victory, leveling the series 1-1 at Adelaide Oval.
Pakistan Triumphs Over Australia to Level ODI Series
Adelaide, November 8, 2024 – Pakistan delivered a dominant performance in the second ODI at Adelaide Oval, securing a comprehensive nine-wicket victory over Australia, and leveling the series at 1-1. An outstanding five-wicket haul by Haris Rauf (5-29), combined with a powerful 137-run opening partnership between Saim Ayub (82) and Abdullah Shafique (64*), proved decisive in Pakistan’s first win against Australia on Australian soil since 2017.
This victory showcased Pakistan’s prowess in both bowling and batting, as they dismissed Australia for a modest 163 and then comfortably chased down the target with over 23 overs to spare. The final game of the three-match series will now serve as a decider on November 10 in Perth.
Match Summary and Highlights
- First Innings: Australia Falters Against Pakistani Pacers
Opting to bowl first on a greenish surface that offered early assistance for seamers, Pakistan’s bowling attack made excellent use of the conditions. Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf spearheaded the attack, causing constant pressure on Australia’s top order.
Australia began promisingly, with Matthew Short displaying a couple of impressive drives in the opening over. Jake Fraser-McGurk then followed up with three boundaries in Naseem Shah’s first over, lifting Australia to a brisk start at 20/0.
However, Pakistan’s pacers quickly found their rhythm, with Afridi and Naseem Shah adjusting their lengths to create pressure. Afridi delivered a late-swinging inswinger that trapped Fraser-McGurk LBW, while Short fell soon after, cutting a ball straight to point.
Josh Inglis joined Steve Smith in a rebuilding effort, with both batsmen looking to stabilize the innings. Smith’s fluent start suggested he could anchor the innings, but Haris Rauf’s arrival into the attack changed the dynamics.
- Haris Rauf’s Breakthrough Spell
Rauf’s first over nearly provided a breakthrough, as Smith’s cut stroke was missed by Saim Ayub at backward point. However, Rauf didn’t need long to make an impact. His pace and bounce unsettled the Australian batters, and he soon dismissed Inglis with a short ball down the leg side.
Marnus Labuschagne was the next to go, edging a superbly placed delivery from Rauf that maintained its line after pitching. Rauf’s hostile spell saw him dismiss Smith soon after, who had earlier looked dangerous with some well-timed strokes. Smith’s departure left Australia struggling at 80/5.
- Australia’s Struggle Continues
With their top-order in disarray, Australia turned to Glenn Maxwell and Aaron Hardie to steady the innings, but both struggled to get comfortable. The pressure mounted as they faced a disciplined Pakistan attack. Maxwell fell to Rauf’s second spell, as did Hardie, who edged a searing delivery to Rizwan behind the stumps.
Late cameos by Pat Cummins and Adam Zampa provided some resistance, but their efforts only carried Australia to 163 all out in 35 overs. Had it not been for a few boundaries towards the end, Australia might have failed to reach even 150.
- Pakistan’s Commanding Chase
Chasing a modest target of 164, Pakistan’s openers approached the innings watchfully, respecting the new ball. The pitch appeared to have eased out in the second innings, offering minimal assistance to the Australian bowlers.
Saim Ayub quickly found his rhythm, striking trademark shots on either side of the wicket. His innings included a towering six off Pat Cummins and a series of boundaries off Mitchell Starc and Adam Zampa, signaling his intent to finish the game quickly.
Abdullah Shafique played the perfect supporting role, adopting a more orthodox approach while complementing Ayub’s aggression. The duo’s 137-run stand effectively sealed Australia’s fate, leaving little chance for a comeback.
- A Disappointing Day for Australian Bowlers
With Ayub in a hurry to finish things, the target quickly approached. His aggressive stroke play brought Pakistan closer to the finish line, though he fell short of a maiden ODI century, being dismissed for 82 off 71 balls.
Shafique remained unbeaten on 64*, and captain Babar Azam joined him to wrap up the match comfortably. Pakistan reached 169/1 in just 26.3 overs, claiming a decisive nine-wicket win.
Key Moments
Haris Rauf’s Five-Wicket Haul: Rauf’s spell (5-29) proved to be the turning point, breaking Australia’s backbone with sharp pace and bounce, causing their batting order to collapse.
Shaheen Afridi’s Early Strikes: Afridi’s opening burst set the tone, dismissing Fraser-McGurk and maintaining pressure.
Saim Ayub’s Counter-Attack: Ayub’s 82 off 71 balls neutralized Australia’s already low score, with his quickfire knock ensuring a comfortable chase for Pakistan.
Rizwan’s Record-Breaking Day
Pakistan’s stand-in captain, Mohammad Rizwan, had an outstanding day behind the stumps, taking six catches. He came close to setting a new record for most catches by a wicket-keeper in an ODI, narrowly missing out on a seventh opportunity in the final overs.
Reflections and Analysis
Australia’s Inconsistent Batting: Australia’s batting issues persisted throughout the series, with only Smith managing a score in the 30s. The hosts failed to adapt to Pakistan’s disciplined pace attack, crumbling under pressure.
Pakistan’s Seam Attack on Point: Pakistan’s fast bowlers showcased their ability to exploit foreign conditions, with Afridi and Rauf’s incisive spells leaving a lasting impression. The movement and bounce they extracted made the surface challenging for Australia.
Confidence Boost for Pakistan’s Top Order: The convincing opening stand between Ayub and Shafique reflects Pakistan’s growing confidence, which will be essential as they head into the series decider.
Looking Ahead: The Decider in Perth
As the teams move to Perth for the final ODI, Pakistan will aim to capitalize on their momentum to secure a historic series win. Australia, on the other hand, will need to regroup and address their batting concerns to avoid a series loss at home.
Match Summary:
Australia: 163 all out in 35 overs (Steve Smith 35; Haris Rauf 5-29, Shaheen Afridi 3-26)
Pakistan: 169/1 in 26.3 overs (Saim Ayub 82, Abdullah Shafique 64*)
