’Thug life’: Aussie hoodwinks Pakistan with cheeky act

Adam Zampa showed how cold-blooded he is after hoodwinking Pakistan with an act that had commentators in stitches.

Adam Zampa could sell ice to an Eskimo — and Pakistan took the bait in brutal fashion on Friday,

The Aussie spinner was at his beguiling best in a rare highlight for the hosts as Pakistan crushed Australia by nine wickets at the Adelaide Oval.

Australia had won 18 of the last 21 ODIs against Pakistan but looked completely off the pace in Adelaide.

It was one of Australia’s heaviest ever ODI defeats — not since 1992 have they lost an ODI at home by nine wickets.

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While Australia was knocked over for 163, the innings ended with a smirk on plenty of faces as Zampa hoodwinked Pakistan into an embarrassing DRS challenge.

Newly appointed Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan fell hook, line and sinker when Zampa told him bluntly he should use up a referral to have the video umpire take a look at an unlikely caught behind opportunity.

In the 35th over with Australia 9/153, Naseem Shah bowled a bouncer to the tailender who was unable to get bat on the ball as it flew through to Rizwan behind the stumps.

Adam Zampa will have a good back up career as a used-car salesman. Photo: Twitter, cricket.com.au.

Despite the very noticeable gap between Zampa’s bat and the ball as his loose flick hit nothing but air, a determined Rizwan was sucked into the review when he made the mistake of asking Zampa for his opinion.

Rizwan had gone up in a desperate appeal, but it was quickly dismissed by the umpire.

Here’s how the blunt exchange played out.

Rizwan: “Did you hear something?”

Zampa: “You are appealing for everything.”

Rizwan: “Should I take it?”

Zampa: “Yeah, you should. You should take it.”

The TV replays were not kind to Rizwan and the Fox Cricket commentary team, including Adam Gilchrist, couldn’t help but have a laugh.

Rizwan was a good sport and flashed Zampa a smile as he walked back to his position for the next delivery.

Zampa’s reputation as a world class sledger also had fans chuckling on Twitter.

“Thug life Zampa,” one fan posted.

Another wrote: “Zampa absolutely played him like a fiddle”.

The Pakistan keeper had the last laugh as his side made easy work of Australia’s measly total.

The Aussies got off to a solid start to be 0/20 after two overs but Australia’s batting order collapsed in a feeble display to be all out for 163.

Openers Matt Short (19) and Jake Fraser-McGurk (13) were out cheaply again, and Steve Smith (35 off 48 balls) was the topscorer. No other player scored above 20.

Pakistan paceman Haris Rauf was superb and finished with figures of 5/29. Shaheen Shah Afridi took three wickets.

Fox Cricket’s Mark Howard said after Rauf bowled Glenn Maxwell: “Haris Rauf is destroying the Australians.”

Pakistan made short work of the run chase — openers Saim Ayub (82 off 71 balls) and Abdullah Shafique (64 not out) made batting look easy, combining for a 137-run stand.

It’s not often Australia gets dominated like that. (Photo by Maya Thompson/Getty Images)

Ayub was particularly impressive as the tourists reached the total with more than 23 overs to spare.

“He has put on a clinic with some clean hitting. This is a demolition job,” Mark Waugh said on Fox Cricket.

Babar Azam sealed the deal with a six off Zampa when only a single was required for the victory.

Australia’s woes were summed up when Zampa dropped a straightforward catch in the outfield and fell sprawling on his back trying to hold on to the catch.

“It wasn’t one of our best days,” captain Pat Cummins said post-match.

“Today was right up there as one of our worst unfortunately.”

Australia had won 18 of the last 21 ODIs against Pakistan but looked completely off the pace in Adelaide.

It was one of Australia’s heaviest ever ODI defeats — not since 1992 have they lost an ODI at home by nine wickets.

Adam Zampa dropped a sitter. (Photo by Brenton EDWARDS / AFP)

Australia may be the ODI world champions but the batting performances in the first two ODIs are cause for concern — only a Cummins rescue job saved the Aussies in the series opener.

Travis Head isn’t playing this ODI series, sitting out as he and his wife welcomed their second child.

Cummins is being rested for the third and series deciding ODI in Perth on Sunday. In his place, Josh Inglis will captain Australia for the first time.

Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne will also miss the clash as they turn their attention to the Test series against India starting on November 22.

“It is very, very exciting and challenging times for Josh Inglis. He will have plenty on his plate keeping and batting, (along) with the captaincy,” Waugh said.

“It is the best view in the house to move the field when you have the gloves on.”

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