Australia Crumbles to Pakistan’s Dominance
Australia was handed a humiliating nine-wicket defeat by Pakistan in the second ODI at Adelaide Oval. The hosts were bowled out for a mere 163 runs in the first innings, with only Steve Smith offering resistance by scoring 35 runs. The rest of the Australian lineup struggled, with several players dismissed for single-digit scores. Pakistan’s bowlers, led by Haris Rauf with a remarkable five-wicket haul and Shaheen Afridi, who claimed three wickets, made the Australian batters’ lives miserable throughout the innings.
Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi Lead the Charge
Pakistan’s bowlers were in sensational form, with Haris Rauf being the standout performer. His five-wicket haul dismantled the Australian top and middle order, while Shaheen Afridi added to the pressure with his three-wicket contribution. The duo’s disciplined bowling left the Australian batsmen with little room to breathe, and they struggled to build any substantial partnerships. As a result, Australia was bundled out for just 163, handing Pakistan a dominant position in the game.
Pakistan’s Opening Batsmen Shine
In response to Australia’s paltry total, Pakistan’s opening pair made light work of the chase. Saim Ayub played a brilliant knock, scoring 82 runs off 71 balls, and was well supported by Abdullah Shafique, who remained unbeaten on 64. Their partnerships steered Pakistan to a comfortable victory, securing the series at 1-1. The performance of the batters was a testament to their composure and ability to chase down a relatively low target without much hassle.
Pat Cummins Reflects on Australia’s Poor Performance
Following the defeat, Australian captain Pat Cummins admitted that it was not their best performance on the field. He acknowledged that Pakistan bowled well but emphasized that Australia should have posted a higher total. “We should have done better and scored more than 160,” Cummins said, reflecting on the team’s lack of batting depth and ability to capitalize on the conditions. The loss was a wake-up call for the team as they look to improve in the upcoming matches.
Changes Ahead of Third ODI and India Series
As the series continues, Australia will see changes to their squad. The Test players, including Cummins, will leave the camp ahead of the third ODI and prepare for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in India, set to begin on November 22. In Cummins’ absence, Josh Inglis will take over as captain for the third ODI. The focus will now shift to Test cricket, with Cummins highlighting the importance of good training sessions before the series against India.
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New Faces in the Australian Squad
To compensate for the absence of their pace trio—Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood—Australia has called up Xavier Doherty, Lance Morris, and Spencer Johnson to bolster the squad. Additionally, Josh Philippe has been added to the team, ensuring that Australia has enough depth for the upcoming matches. These changes come as part of their strategic preparation for the long tour of India, where the focus will now shift to Test cricket.
