Pakistan level ODI series against Australia

BRENTON EDWARDS/ AFP

Haris Rauf took five wickets as Pakistan cruised to a nine-wicket victory over Australia in the second one day international to level the three-match series 1-1 at the Adelaide Oval on Friday.

Rauf claimed 5-29, his second five-wicket haul in ODIs, as Pakistan bundled out world champions Australia for 163 in 35 overs on a decent batting track, their lowest ODI score against Pakistan.

Mohammad Rizwan, in his first series as Pakistan's white-ball captain, was involved in six of those dismissals, equalling the world record for most dismissals by a wicketkeeper in a one day international.

He could have had a seventh catch but spilled a skier from Adam Zampa late in the Australian innings.

Saim Ayub hit 82 and forged a 137-run opening stand with Abdullah Shafique as Pakistan reached the target in 26.3 overs.

"I've been bowling here for the Melbourne Stars, I know the pitch, I know the length," Rauf said during the break between innings, referring to his stint in the Big Bash League. "I just wanted to get the breakthrough for Pakistan."

There was no sign of Australia's impending collapse when Jake Fraser-McGurk hit Naseem Shah for three fours in the bowler's first over, but was soon trapped lbw by Shaheen Afridi (3-26) for 13.

Afridi, fielding near the boundary rope, spilled opener Matthew Short in the next over, but then had him caught at cover for 19.

Steve Smith (35) and Josh Inglis (18) tried to rebuild the Australian innings before Rauf ran through their middle order.

Inglis fell caught behind, and the Rauf-Rizwan combination also accounted for Marnus Labuschagne, Aaron Hardie and Mitchell Starc. Smith survived a strong lbw appeal but fell caught behind to the next delivery from Mohammad Hasnain.

Saim led Pakistan's rapid reply, taking Pakistan past 50 without loss by pulling Pat Cummins for a flat six.

Adam Zampa dropped Saim in the deep, allowing him to race to a 52-ball fifty, but eventually dismissed him after the opener had smashed six sixes in his belligerent knock.

Shafique made 64 not out, and Babar Azam sealed Pakistan's victory with a flat six.

The third and final ODI is scheduled in Perth on Sunday.

More from Sports

  • Arsenal miss chance to go six points clear with draw at Brentford

    Arsenal has wasted the chance to restore their six-point lead at the top of the Premier League table as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Brentford on Thursday, with Noni Madueke's second-half header cancelled out by Keane Lewis-Potter.

  • India thump Namibia ahead of Pakistan clash

    Defending champions India continued their march towards the Super Eight stage of the Twenty20 World Cup with a 93-run win over Namibia in a group A contest at Arun Jaitley Stadium on Thursday.

  • Italy crush Nepal in maiden T20 World Cup victory

    Brothers Justin and Anthony Mosca guided Twenty20 World Cup debutants Italy to their first win in the tournament, as their unbeaten half-centuries secured a dominant 10-wicket victory over Nepal in a Group C clash on Thursday.

  • Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships reveals major expansion plan

    The 2026 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships will usher in the start of a new era for one of the Middle East’s most iconic sporting events with plans revealed for an extensive two-phase redevelopment that will transform the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium and surrounding Aviation Club Tennis Complex.

  • Sri Lanka crush Oman for second victory in T20 World Cup

    Sri Lanka batsmen Kusal Mendis, Pavan Rathnayake and Dasun Shanaka cracked half-centuries as the 2014 champions continued to build momentum in the Twenty20 World Cup with a 105-run win over Oman in Pallekele on Thursday.

News