PAKISTAN TOUR OF AUSTRALIA, 2024
Australia bowled out for 163 as Haris Rauf takes five wickets.
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Haris Rauf (5-29) claimed his second five-wicket haul in ODIs to spearhead a brilliant Pakistan bowling performance that saw Australia bowled out for just 163 in the second ODI at Adelaide Oval. Opting to bowl on a pitch that offered a hint of green, Pakistan's pacers, led by Rauf, exploited the pace, bounce, and movement on offer to devastating effect. Australia’s batters, unable to handle the challenge, struggled throughout, with Steve Smith (35) the only one to make a meaningful contribution.
Australia’s promising start to the game suggested the day might unfold differently. Matthew Short began confidently with two well-timed drives off Shaheen Afridi in the first over. Jake Fraser-McGurk then hit three boundaries in Naseem Shah’s opening over, as Australia raced to 20/0 in just two overs. But once Afridi and Naseem found their rhythm, Pakistan quickly made inroads. Afridi’s inswinger trapped Fraser-McGurk LBW, and Naseem should have had Short in his next over, had Afridi not dropped a simple catch at deep square leg.
Smith, who also began well with a couple of early boundaries, saw his partner Short fall soon after, cutting straight to point. The remainder of the first Powerplay saw no further damage as Smith and Josh Inglis looked to rebuild. Both batters played some confident strokes, and for a while, it seemed Australia might be on track for a competitive total. However, Rauf’s introduction changed the course of the innings. He immediately posed problems, with Smith being dropped off a sharp cut shot at backward point by Saim Ayub off Rauf’s third delivery.
Bowling with pace and precision, Rauf had Australia’s top order hopping. He dismissed Inglis in his second over, as the batter gloved a short ball down the leg side. Marnus Labuschagne followed soon after, edging a cracking delivery that held its line. Unlike previous Adelaide pitches, this one remained lively, allowing Pakistan’s pacers to maintain constant pressure.
Smith, who had played some delightful shots, including a pick-up six, was dismissed cheaply, caught behind off Mohammad Hasnain’s harmless short and wide delivery. His wicket was a huge blow for Australia, and they were never able to recover from that point. Aaron Hardie and Glenn Maxwell tried to rebuild, but neither looked comfortable at the crease. Their lack of fluency eventually cost them their wickets, with Rauf accounting for both in his second spell.
A few late blows from Pat Cummins and Adam Zampa provided some resistance, but Australia’s total never threatened to reach even 150. Rauf’s relentless effort, combined with Shaheen Afridi’s 3-26, helped Pakistan to bowl Australia out with plenty of overs remaining. Naseem Shah, though unlucky not to pick up a wicket, supported well, and wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan had a stellar day behind the stumps, taking six catches. He could have become the first keeper to take seven in an ODI but put down a skier off Zampa late in the innings.
Australia’s total of 163 is well below par, but with a pitch offering something for the quicks, they will feel their own pace attack can still keep them in the game.
Australia 163 all out in 35 overs (Steve Smith 35; Haris Rauf 5-29, Shaheen Afridi 3-26) vs Pakistan
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