Pakistan won the toss and chose to bowl first against Australia in the second match of the three-game ODI series at Adelaide Oval.
Led by Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan aims to bounce back and level the series after losing the first ODI. In that game, Australia narrowly defeated Pakistan by two wickets at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), successfully chasing a target of 204 in 33.3 overs. Captain Pat Cummins played a key role, scoring an unbeaten 32 off 31 balls.
Read more: PAK vs AUS: Australia Chooses to Bowl First Against Pakistan in First ODI Encounter
Pakistan’s pace attack, featuring Haris Rauf (3-67), Shaheen Shah Afridi (2-43), Naseem Shah (1-39), and Mohammad Hasnain (1-51), claimed seven wickets but couldn’t prevent the loss. Australia’s chase began shakily at 28-2 after Shaheen and Naseem dismissed openers Matthew Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk.
Steve Smith (44) and Josh Inglis (49) steadied the innings with an 85-run partnership for the third wicket. Haris Rauf triggered a collapse by dismissing Smith in the 17th over, and Pakistan reduced Australia to 155-7. Despite further wickets, Cummins and Sean Abbott’s 30-run partnership helped Australia secure the win.
Earlier, Pakistan struggled with the bat, managing only 203 runs in 46.4 overs. Rizwan, captaining the side for the first time, top-scored with 44, supported by Babar Azam’s 37. Lower-order contributions from Naseem Shah (40), Shaheen Afridi (24), and debutant Muhammad Irfan Khan (22) added vital runs. Mitchell Starc was Australia’s standout bowler, taking 3-33, including the wicket of debutant Saim Ayub.
