Australia delivered a controlled all-round showing to beat Pakistan by 41 runs in the second ODI at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday, bringing the three-match series level at 1-1 and setting up a decisive final. After securing a competitive total, the visitors tightened the screws early in Pakistan’s chase and then sustained the pressure to dismiss the hosts for 190 in 44 overs.
Australia’s innings: early alarm, then steady rebuilding
- Pakistan won the toss and opted to bowl first, and the hosts made an immediate impact by removing Alex Carey with the very first delivery of the match.
- Australia recovered from the early blow and finished their 50 overs on 231/9, posting a score that kept the game firmly in contention.
- Josh Inglis anchored the innings with a top score of 51 off 74 balls, while Cameron Green contributed a composed 53.
- Inglis and Green stitched key partnerships after Australia slipped to 51/3, adding essential runs despite the demands of the conditions.
- Oliver Peake then provided a late surge to help Australia move beyond the 230-run mark.
- Shaheen Shah Afridi was the most prominent of Pakistan’s wicket-takers, and the bowling unit shared the responsibility to limit Australia throughout the innings.
Pakistan’s chase: a fast collapse and a late fight that wasn’t enough
- Australia struck twice within the opening three overs, quickly tightening the contest and putting Pakistan under immediate pressure.
- Former captain Babar Azam was dismissed early in the chase, leaving the home side reeling at 35/3.
- Matthew Short and Nathan Ellis continued the wicket-taking momentum, ensuring the hosts were forced to keep rebuilding as wickets fell at regular intervals.
- Shadab Khan fought back with a determined 71, keeping Pakistan’s hopes alive even as the rest of the batting order struggled.
- Arafat Minhas offered some support, but the required run rate kept climbing as Australia maintained a relentless line and length.
- Nathan Ellis produced the standout spell, finishing with career-best ODI figures of 4/33, while Matthew Short also made a significant impact.
- Together, Ellis and Short combined to take seven wickets and effectively derail the chase.
- Pakistan were ultimately bowled out for 190 in 44 overs, falling short by 41 runs.
The result gives Australia a timely response after their loss in the first ODI, keeping the series alive with the final match still to come. For Pakistan, Shadab’s 71 was a rare bright spot in an otherwise disappointing batting performance, especially after they had started brightly with the ball.
Result: Australia 231/9 (50 overs) beat Pakistan 190 (44 overs) by 41 runs. Series score: 1-1 (three-match ODI series).
