LAHORE (Kashmir English): Australia defeated Pakistan in the second ODI to level the three-match series 1-1 at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday.
The touring side defended a modest 232-run target successfully to win the game.
Earlier, playing first, Australia scored 231 runs but the Green Shirts could muster 190 before getting bowled out in 44 overs despite a superb half-century by Shadab Khan.
Pakistan suffered blows in the early overs as they lost both their openers, Maaz Sadaqat (zero) and Sahibzada Farhan (three), inside two overs with just six runs on the board.
Experienced batter Babar Azam also fell victim to Nathan Ellis in the fifth over after making a run-a-ball 16.
The Men-in-Green then suffered two more setbacks in quick succession as Salman Ali Agha and Abdul Samad perished cheaply for seven and two, respectively.
Wicketkeeper batter Ghazi Ghori, however, tried to come out of the crisis with scoring a gritty 37 off 48 deliveries with the help of five fours, but was eventually cleaned up by Adam Zampa in the 17th over.
Arafat Minhas and Shadab Khan batted sensibly and raised an important 59-run partnership for the seventh wicket, which culminated with the former’s dismissal off Ellis in the 32nd over.
Minhas contributed with a defiant 33 off 43 deliveries with the help of four fours.
Ellis spearheaded Australia’s bowling charge with four wickets for 33 runs in his nine overs, followed by Short with three, while Matthew Kuhnemann, Adam Zampa and Sangha chipped in with one scalp apiece.
Captain Shaheen spearheaded Pakistan’s bowling charge with three wickets for 36 runs in his eight overs, followed by Minhas, Rauf and Abrar with two each.
Third ODI
Pakistan and Australia will play third and final ODI of the series at the Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday.
