“Saim Ayub’s Stellar 82 Powers Pakistan to Emphatic Victory Over Australia in 2nd ODI, Series Tied 1-1”
In a thrilling second ODI match, Pakistan delivered a resounding response to Australia’s opening win, crushing the hosts by nine wickets at Adelaide Oval. The victory was headlined by a powerful 82-run knock from 22-year-old Saim Ayub and a stunning five-wicket haul from pace spearhead Haris Rauf, setting the stage for a high-stakes series decider on Sunday in Perth.
Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique Lead Pakistan’s Dominant Chase
Young sensation Saim Ayub took center stage with an impressive 82 in only his second ODI appearance, partnering with Abdullah Shafique (64*). Starting cautiously against Australian pacers Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins, Pakistan’s opening duo scored just 47 in the initial 10 overs. However, they soon found their rhythm. Ayub smashed consecutive sixes off Mitchell Starc and Cummins, bringing up his maiden ODI fifty. Shafique joined in, hitting massive sixes of his own as Pakistan chased down the target of 164 in style, reaching 169-1 with a remarkable 141 balls remaining.
Commenting on his performance, Ayub said, “The most important thing is the team won. We focused on staying positive, and credit goes to Haris Rauf and the bowlers who set up this victory.”
Haris Rauf Shines with a Fiery Five-Wicket Haul
After Pakistan’s skipper Mohammad Rizwan won the toss and opted to bowl, Haris Rauf took charge, putting Australia under intense pressure. With a fast and precise line, he achieved a remarkable 5-29, claiming key Australian wickets and limiting the hosts to a mere 163. Steve Smith’s 35 was the highest score for Australia as Rauf, alongside Rizwan’s reliable wicketkeeping, proved unstoppable. Rauf dismissed top-order batsmen and finished his haul by taking down Glenn Maxwell and Pat Cummins, marking his second ODI five-wicket achievement.
Australia’s Struggles and Captain Cummins’ Reflection
Australia captain Pat Cummins acknowledged the challenging day, stating, “It wasn’t one of our best performances. We hoped for a larger total, but Pakistan’s bowlers really applied pressure. We’ll need to regroup for the decider in Perth.”
Australia’s opening pair, Jake Fraser-McGurk and Matt Short, aimed to make a strong start but struggled against Shaheen Afridi and Rauf. Short, fortunate to be dropped on eight, was dismissed shortly after for 19, while Fraser-McGurk fell lbw for 13. With the middle-order collapsing, only Smith managed a stable innings before eventually edging a ball from Mohammad Hasnain.
Looking Ahead: High-Stakes Decider in Perth
As Pakistan and Australia head to Perth for the final ODI, both teams are poised for an intense showdown. Pakistan’s comprehensive victory in Adelaide showcased their resilience, with emerging talents like Ayub and Shafique adding depth to their batting, and Rauf proving invaluable with his pace attack. The stakes are high, and with Pakistan leveling the series, the final match is set to be an electrifying contest.
Stay tuned for more updates on this ODI series as Pakistan and Australia gear up for what promises to be a thrilling decider.