Australia and Pakistan faced off against each other in the second ODI of the three-match ODI series in Adelaide. After losing the first ODI at the MCG, Pakistan made a solid comeback to win the second ODI in Adelaide. The bowlers were fantastic for the Men In Green as they restricted Australia to just 163 runs. In reply, they chased down the target in just 26.3 overs with the opener Saim Ayub playing a gem of an innings.
He played some fantastic shots but the best of the lot came in the 12th over of the Pakistan innings when he imitated a shot of Yuvraj Singh which went for a six. Mitchell Starc bowled a length ball to Ayub and he shuffled across the crease, flicked the length ball from Starc for a maximum over the fine-leg region. It was a shot reminiscent of the great Yuvraj. Ayub scored 82 runs off 71 deliveries with five boundaries and six sixes.
Coming to the game, Haris Rauf‘s five-wicket haul did not allow Australian batters to get a hold of the game. He was well complemented by Shaheen Afridi, who himself picked up three wickets. Naseem Shah and Hasnain managed to pick up one wicket each.
Saim Ayub trusted his own abilities right from the start of the innings
At the end of the game, Ayub said that he wanted to be positive right from the start of the innings. He trusted himself and his abilities to go after the Australian bowling attack. Ayub also complemented his bowling unit and especially talked about the performance of Haris Rauf in this game.
“The most important thing for me is that the team won. We tried to be positive, the most important thing is how we played as a team. It’s about watching the ball and trying to be positive. I just trusted myself. Victory always gives you confidence. We are committed to our team values and we are enjoying each other’s company. Being in the present moment is the most important thing. Our bowling unit was magnificent. Credit goes to Haris Rauf (to take those wickets and put them under pressure,) but the other bowlers also supported him well”, said Ayub at the post-match presentation.
With the win, the series is now leveled at 1-1 with one ODI match left to be played. The series decider is slated to take place on 10th November at Perth Stadium.
