The second ODI between Australia and Pakistan was played at the Adelaide Oval on November 8, 2024, and saw the visitors thumping the hosts by 9 wickets to level the three-ODI series 1-1.
Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan captain, won the toss and chose to bowl first. However, Shaheen Afridi rattled the top-order removing the openers Matthew Short (19) and Jake Fraser-McGurk (13) in quick time.
Steve Smith tried to force some runs to be scored and made 35 with 5 fours and 1 six, but he remained the only Aussie batter to cross the 20-run mark.
Haris Rauf then rattled the middle order of Australia, claiming 5/29 as Australia was bundled out for 163 in 35 overs. Shaheen Afridi picked 3 wickets, while Naseem Shah and Mohammad Hasnain picked one wicket each.
In the chase, Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique went after the Australian bowlers and added 137 runs for the opening wicket. Ayub was the aggressor, scoring 82 in 71 balls with 5 fours and 6 sixes, before being dismissed by Adam Zampa.
Shafique continued, scoring 64* with 4 fours and 3 sixes, while Babar Azam made 15* as Pakistan attained the target in 26.3 overs and won the match by 9 wickets. This helped them level the three-ODI series 1-1. Haris Rauf was named the Player of the Match for his fifer.
The final ODI will be played in Perth on November 10 and the winner of the match will clinch the series as well.
The cricket fraternity was all praises for the Pakistan team for such a brilliant performance and lauded them on social media.
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