Pakistan’s star pacer Haris Rauf delivered a stellar performance, taking five wickets to bowl out Australia for 163 in the 2nd ODI at Adelaide Oval today.
After being sent in to bat, Australia’s strong batting lineup struggled against Pakistan’s disciplined bowlers, collapsing in just 35 overs.
Australia’s new opening duo, Jake Fraser-McGurk (13) and Matthew Short (19), couldn’t provide a steady start and soon fell to Shaheen Shah Afridi, who posted impressive figures of 3/26.
Following the early setbacks, Steve Smith and wicketkeeper Josh Inglis tried to rebuild. However, their third-wicket partnership added only 38 runs before Rauf dismissed Inglis (18) in the 14th over, followed by Marnus Labuschagne’s wicket in the next over, who managed just six runs off 11 balls.
Mohammad Hasnain then deepened Australia’s troubles by removing the set batter Smith, bringing Australia to 101/5 in 20.5 overs. Smith top-scored for his team with a determined 35 off 48 balls, including six boundaries and a six.
Haris Rauf, gaining momentum, dismissed Aaron Hardie (13) and Glenn Maxwell (16) in consecutive overs, and completed his five-wicket haul by taking down Australian captain Pat Cummins (13).
Adam Zampa contributed with a brief 18-run cameo toward the end, but Shaheen cleaned him up in the 35th over, wrapping up the Australian innings.
Rauf’s outstanding figures of 5/29 in eight overs led the attack, with Shaheen and Naseem Shah taking three and two wickets respectively, while Hasnain claimed one.
Australia leads the three-match series 1-0 after their narrow two-wicket win in the opening game on Monday.
