Pakistan humbles Australia and levels ODI series with nine-wicket defeat | cricket

World champions Australia were embarrassed by Pakistan at the Adelaide Oval and suffered one of the heaviest defeats in their ODI history.

After scoring just 163, Australia were then punished on the field by Pakistan openers Saim Ayub (82) and Abdullah Shafique (64 not out) as the tourists claimed a nine-wicket victory with 141 balls to spare in the second ODI . It is the first time since 1992 that Australia has lost a home ODI by nine wickets. They avoided becoming the first Australian team to lose a white-ball home game by ten wickets when Adam Zampa completed the opening stand of 137 runs.

Pakistan's stunning triumph gives them a great chance of winning the three-match series with Test stars Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne sitting out Sunday's crucial match in Perth. These five will not make the trip so that they can prepare for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy clash against India. Wicketkeeper Josh Inglis, who will captain Australia for the first time in Cummins' absence, Glenn Maxwell and Zampa will be the only members of last year's World Cup final team to play at Optus Stadium.

Pakistan's first ODI win against Australia in Adelaide since 1996 was set up by the rip-roaring, fast Haris Rauf, who destroyed the middle order. Rauf, who has been a popular figure in the Melbourne Stars' Big Bash League since 2020, picked up where he left off at the MCG as Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan won the toss and opted to bowl.

The 31-year-old gave Pakistan a chance of a surprise victory with three 67s on Monday before Cummins took Australia to the finish by two wickets. But Rauf (five for 29) reached a new level in Adelaide with his second five-wicket haul in ODIs, dismissing Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Aaron Hardie and Glenn Maxwell as Australia slumped from 79 for two to 129 for seven.

The fiery right-back also secured Cummins' win, ending any chance Australia had of a competitive overall. Rauf finished with the best ODI figures by a Pakistani bowler at the Adelaide Oval, impressing the legendary Wasim Akram on commentary.

Australia should have been all out for 147 but wicketkeeper Rizwan spilled a ski ball from Zampa. He made a quick 18 and even unsuccessfully goaded Rizwan with a review saying, “You guys appeal for everything.” You should take [the review].” Smith became Australia's top scorer with 35 when the innings ended in the 35th over.

Openers Matt Short (19) and Jake Fraser-McGurk (13) failed to silence the critics of their cavalier strikes. Australian star Ian Healy called them “schoolyard bullies” and urged them to curb their aggression. On Thursday, Fraser-McGurk said he would continue to fight.