In a commanding performance, Pakistan defeated Australia by nine wickets in the second ODI at Adelaide Oval, driven by a stellar five-wicket haul from pacer Haris Rauf and an explosive 82-run innings by opener Saim Ayub.
Rauf leads bowling attack in Australia’s collapse
Australia, having been invited to bat first by Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan, struggled against a potent Pakistani bowling lineup and managed only 163 runs in 35 overs. Haris Rauf, who had impressed in the first ODI with three wickets, delivered a devastating spell, dismantling Australia’s middle order and finishing with 5 wickets. Shaheen Afridi complemented Rauf’s efforts, removing both Australian openers, Jake Fraser-McGurk and Matthew Short, with his new-ball spell. The remaining two wickets were shared by Naseem Shah and Mohammad Hasnain.
This was Rauf’s second five-wicket haul in ODIs, earning him the Player of the Match award. Australia’s highest scorer, Steven Smith, could only muster 35 runs as most batters failed to convert starts into substantial scores.
Ayub and Shafique seal the win
Chasing a modest target, Pakistan’s opening duo, Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique, started cautiously but shifted gears once settled. Ayub, the aggressor, hammered five boundaries and six sixes in his 71-ball 82, narrowly missing his maiden ODI century when Adam Zampa dismissed him in the 21st over. Shafique played a more measured 64* off 69 balls, anchoring the innings after Ayub’s dismissal. Babar Azam then joined Shafique, hitting a six to seal the victory.
Rizwan equals world record with six catches
Behind the stumps, Rizwan had a record-equalling performance, grabbing six catches to match the world record for most catches in an ODI innings by a wicketkeeper. He missed a seventh chance, dropping a catch off Adam Zampa in the 34th over, which would have given him a standalone record. Rizwan’s achievement places him alongside Pakistani wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Ahmed and Australian legend Adam Gilchrist, who has achieved the feat multiple times.
This win marks Pakistan’s first ODI victory on Australian soil since 2017, levelling the three-match series 1-1 and setting the stage for a high-stakes final match.
