PAK vs AUS, 2nd ODI: Haris Rauf shines as Pakistan crush Australia by 9 wickets

Adelaide: Pakistan sailed to a dominant nine-wicket victory over Australia, comfortably chasing down a modest target of 164 on a batting-friendly wicket in the second ODI match at Adelaide Oval here on Friday.

Spearheaded by Haris Rauf’s outstanding five-wicket haul and Mohammad Rizwan’s record-equalling six catches behind the stumps, Pakistan dismantled the Australian side in just 35 overs, setting up an easy chase that their openers finished with flair.

In a display of sheer precision and lethal bowling, Rauf (5/29) took centre stage with an impressive mix of pace and control that rattled the Australian batsmen. Claiming five crucial wickets, he was both a force and a strategist, shifting lengths and keeping tight lines that made scoring difficult for Australia.

Rauf’s spell reached its zenith with his fifth wicket, which he celebrated by asking for the ball—a cherished memento from a career-defining performance. His teammates rallied around him, marking the moment with celebrations befitting such a clinical display.

The match began with a glimmer of promise for Australia, as young Fraser McGurk struck three boundaries off Naseem Shah in one over, signalling Australia’s intent.

However, their hopes were short-lived as Shaheen Afridi made an early breakthrough, dismissing McGurk (13 off 10) and triggering a collapse that would haunt Australia for the rest of the innings. From there, Rauf tightened his grip on the game, consistently forcing edges from the batsmen and handing them to Rizwan, who was impeccable with the gloves.

Rizwan’s lightning reflexes allowed him to equal Sarfaraz Ahmed’s record of six catches in an ODI, tying him with one of Pakistan’s most celebrated wicketkeepers. The wicketkeeper-batsman was poised for a seventh catch when Adam Zampa (18 off 21) offered a simple chance, but Rizwan, in a rare lapse, spilled it. This small error did little to change the direction of the game, with Pakistan firmly in command and Australia’s batters unable to find answers.

When it came time for Pakistan to chase, the openers were cautious initially, aware of the movement in the pitch that the Australian pacers tried to exploit.

However, as Saim Ayub (82 off 71 balls, 5x4s 6x6s) and Abdullah Shafique (64* off 69 balls, 4x4s 3x6s) settled in, they turned the pressure back on the Australian bowlers.

Ayub, who struggled early on, found his rhythm and quickly accelerated, registering his maiden ODI fifty in style. His aggressive stroke play left the Australians scrambling as they tried to defend the meagre total.

Despite being dropped by Zampa on 47, Ayub continued with confidence and audacity. Zampa eventually got his wicket, but by then, Ayub’s impact had already set Pakistan well on course to victory.

At the other end, Abdullah played a steady innings and brought up his own fifty towards the end of the chase.

His calm demeanour and precise shot selection ensured that Pakistan crossed the finish line without further losses. The openers’ partnership, driven by both caution and aggression, saw Pakistan seal the match in emphatic style, with only one wicket down.

This win, marked by Rauf’s career-best figures and Rizwan’s record-equalling catches, showcased Pakistan’s strength across departments. From the disciplined, probing lengths of their bowlers to the solid and tactical response by the openers, Pakistan executed their plan to perfection.

For Australia, the match was a tough lesson, highlighting areas they will need to address in their bowling and fielding if they are to compete against a side of Pakistan’s calibre.

With this victory, Pakistan reaffirmed their growing dominance in the ODI format, sending a strong message to future opponents. Australia, meanwhile, will have to regroup and reflect on a performance that saw them outplayed in every aspect. As Pakistan’s players left the field to the cheers of an appreciative crowd, the match concluded as a showcase of their talent, discipline, and rising stature on the international stage.

Brief scores: Australia: 163 all out in 35 overs (Fraser McGurk 13, Adam Zampa 18; Haris Rauf 5/29, Shaheen Afridi 3/26); Pakistan: 164/1 in 27.3 overs (Saim Ayub 82, Abdullah Shafique 64*); Result: Pakistan won by nine wickets.