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Haris Rauf’s Match-Winning Spell Leads Pakistan to Dominant Victory Over Australia
In a thrilling second ODI at the Adelaide Oval, Haris Rauf delivered a game-changing performance with the ball, taking 5 wickets for 29 runs, as Pakistan crushed Australia by 9 wickets. This marked Pakistan’s first victory over Australia on Australian soil since 2017. Pakistan’s pace attack, led by Rauf and supported by Shaheen Afridi, who claimed 3 wickets for 26 runs, dismantled Australia’s batting line-up. The hosts were bowled out for just 163 runs in 35 overs, setting a manageable target for Pakistan.
Pakistan’s Dominant Chase Led by Explosive Opening Partnership
The chase was powered by a solid 137-run opening stand between Saim Ayub (82) and Abdullah Shafique (64*). Both players displayed excellent form, ensuring there were no major hurdles in the run chase, even though Ayub couldn’t bat till the end. Ayub’s 71-ball knock, filled with aggressive strokes, ensured that Pakistan moved towards victory with ease, finishing the game with more than 23 overs remaining.
The surface at the Adelaide Oval appeared to ease in the second half of the match, with slight movement still present for the bowlers with the new ball. The Pakistani openers started cautiously, but Ayub soon exploded with his characteristic pick-up shots, while Shafique anchored the innings with more orthodox strokes. The pair worked well together, making sure Australia had no chance to make a comeback.
Ayub’s quickfire innings saw him dispatch Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc for boundaries and sixes. Despite missing out on a century, his aggressive batting had already set the game in Pakistan’s favor. Babar Azam joined Shafique to complete the formalities and take Pakistan home in just 26.3 overs.
Australia’s Batting Collapse Set Up by Pakistan’s Bowlers
Earlier in the day, Pakistan opted to bowl first on a pitch that had a slight tinge of green, ideal for pace bowling. Pakistan’s bowlers took full advantage of the conditions, exploiting the bounce and movement available. Rauf, in particular, caused constant problems for Australia, picking up key wickets and putting the hosts on the backfoot.
Australia’s innings started promisingly with Matthew Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk hitting some early boundaries. However, the early breakthroughs by Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah, coupled with Rauf’s fiery spell, halted Australia’s progress. The hosts were soon reduced to 64/4, with Rauf striking frequently. Australia’s top-order faltered under pressure, and only Steve Smith (35) managed to get into double digits. For more on Australia’s batting collapse, click here.
Smith’s early dismissal off Mohammad Hasnain, followed by the fall of Glenn Maxwell and Aaron Hardie, left Australia with no way back. Rauf’s second spell further ensured that Australia could not recover, and they were bundled out for 163 runs. Rizwan, Pakistan’s wicketkeeper, took six catches, contributing to the team’s success, and could have become the first wicketkeeper to take seven catches in an ODI but dropped a skier towards the end.
With Australia’s innings collapsing, Pakistan wrapped up the match with a dominating win, making the series decider crucial. The final match of the series will take place in Perth on Sunday, November 10, 2024.
Brief Scores:
- 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*) defeated Australia by 9 wickets.
For more updates and to stay tuned with the latest match details, check the official Pakistan Cricket Board website.
