AUS vs PAK, 2nd ODI: Australia have claimed a 41-run victory in the second ODI against Pakistan at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore to level the three-game ODI series 1-1. Nathan Ellis was the standout bowler for the tourists, claiming four wickets, while Matt Short also claimed three but it was hard-fought half-centuries from Josh Inglis and Cameron Green that set the match up for Australia.
Pakistan spin a web again as Australia batters crumble
With Alex Carey dismissed in the very first ball of the innings, it followed with a flurry of boundaries. However, the tourists found themselves in a pickle yet again in front of the likes of Abrar Ahmed and Arafat Minhas. Matt Short perished to end a very promising 46-run stand with captain Inglis. After Marnus Labuschagne fell cheaply again, Inglis grinded for an excellent fifty before falling to Arafat Minhas with a delivery that kept very low. With Cameron Green also set at that point, the onus was on him to bat deep. The Aussie all-rounder did accordingly and threaded a very vital 50-run stand with Matt Renshaw.
Just when Australia again looked to cut loose with the last 10 overs looming, Abrar Ahmed, bowling his 8th, dismissed Green to peg back the Men in Yellow. Oliver Peake, who made his debut, in the previous game, played a gem of a cameo of 31. The teenage prodigy belted a few boundaries in the final five overs to give Australia a very competitive 231 in 50 overs after being dismissed off the final delivery.
Pakistan endure a horror start of their own as Australia bowlers on point
The Men in Green’s start almost mirrored Australia as their opener Maaz Sadaqat fell for a first-ball duck, much like Alex Carey. Pakistan gradually slid to 33/3, with an umpire’s call of lbw going against Babar Azam, who looked slick during his 16-ball stay at the crease for as many runs. The hosts went further down the mire at 78/6 as a defeat looked certain. Shadab Khan and Minhas led Pakistan’s revival with a 59-run stand, with Ellis ending the partnership.
With the onus resting on Shadab now, he took calculated risks, while Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf did their best to hold their end. But it was Shadab perishing in the end for 71, handing Australia a 41-run victory.
