LAHORE: Pakistan’s bowlers delivered a disciplined all-round performance to restrict Australia to 231/9 in the second ODI of the three-match series at Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday.
After winning the toss, Pakistan skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi elected to bowl first, and his decision paid immediate dividends as he struck with the very first ball of the match, clean bowling Alex Carey for a golden duck.
Australia’s early setback brought captain Josh Inglis to the crease at No. 3. Inglis attempted to steady the innings and shared a 46-run partnership with Matthew Short for the second wicket. Short contributed a cautious 15 from 24 deliveries before leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed broke the stand in the eighth over.
The visitors continued to struggle as young spinner Arafat Minhas removed Marnus Labuschagne for just five, reducing Australia to 51/3.
Inglis then joined forces with Cameron Green to rebuild the innings. The pair added a valuable 51 runs for the fourth wicket, with Inglis registering his fifth ODI half-century. However, Minhas struck again to dismiss the Australian captain for a hard-fought 51 off 74 balls, including five boundaries.
Green remained the backbone of Australia’s batting effort. The all-rounder forged another important partnership, adding 65 runs with Matt Renshaw for the sixth wicket. Green eventually fell to Abrar Ahmed in the 40th over after top-scoring with a patient 53 off 92 deliveries, featuring two sixes and one four.
Renshaw continued to contribute before Haris Rauf cleaned him up for 43 from 43 balls, an innings highlighted by three fours.
Pakistan maintained pressure in the closing overs. Shaheen returned to remove Matthew Kuhnemann for five in the 47th over and later dismissed Nathan Ellis in the penultimate over. Meanwhile, Oliver Peake provided late resistance with a brisk 31 off 31 balls to push Australia’s total past the 230-mark.
Shaheen led Pakistan’s bowling attack with impressive figures of 3 for 36 in eight overs. Abrar Ahmed, Arafat Minhas, and Haris Rauf each claimed two wickets as Pakistan’s bowlers combined effectively to keep Australia in check.
Australia finished their innings on 231/9 in 50 overs, leaving Pakistan with a manageable target in the second ODI.