Australia v Pakistan ODI, as it happened: Visitors dominate by nine wickets to set up series decider

World Cup champions Australia have been embarrassed by Pakistan at the Adelaide Oval, suffering one of the heaviest defeats in their proud ODI history.

After posting only 163, Australia were then punished in the field by Pakistan openers Saim Ayub (82) and Abdullah Shafique (64 not out) as the tourists raced to a nine-wicket victory in the second ODI with 141 balls to spare.

It is the first time since 1992 Australia have lost a home ODI by nine wickets.

Pat Cummins and his men were comprehensively outplayed in Adelaide.Credit: Getty Images

They avoided becoming the first Australian team to lose a white-ball match at home by 10 wickets when Adam Zampa ended the 137-run opening stand.

Pakistan’s stunning triumph on Friday gives them a huge opportunity to win the three-match series, with Test stars Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne to sit out Sunday’s deciding game in Perth.

Those five won’t make the trip to Western Australia so they can prepare for the upcoming battle for the Border-Gavaskar trophy 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 side to play at Optus Stadium.

Pakistan’s first ODI win against Australia at the Adelaide since 1996 was set up by tearaway quick Haris Rauf, who demolished the middle-order.

Rauf, who has been a popular figure in the Big Bash League for the Melbourne Stars since 2020, picked up where he left off at the MCG when Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan won the toss and opted to bowl.

The 31-year-old gave Pakistan a chance of a shock victory on Monday with 3-67, before Cummins steered Australia home by two wickets.

But Rauf (5-29) went to another level in Adelaide with his second five-wicket haul in ODIs, dismissing Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Aaron Hardie, and Glenn Maxwell as Australia collapsed from 2-79 to 7-129.

The fiery right-armer also claimed Cummins’ scalp to end any chance Australia had of posting a competitive total.

Rauf finished with the best ODI figures by a Pakistani bowler at the Adelaide Oval, impressing the legendary Wasim Akram in the commentary box.

Australia should have been all-out for 147 but wicketkeeper Rizwan spilled a skied ball from Zampa.

Zampa belted a quick-fire 18, even goading Rizwan into, unsuccessfully, using a review, saying: “You blokes appeal for everything. You should take it (the review).”

Steve Smith finished as Australia’s top-scorer with 35 when their innings ended in the 35th over.

Australian openers Matt Short (19) and Jake Fraser-McGurk (13) failed to silence critics of their cavalier batting.

Australian great Ian Healy had called the pair “schoolyard bullies” and urged them to temper their aggression.

On Thursday, Fraser-McGurk said he would continue batting his way.

AUSTRALIA’S BIGGEST ODI LOSSES (BY WICKETS)

10 wickets v New Zealand, Wellington 2007
9 wickets v West Indies, SCG 1984
9 wickets v West Indies, Kingston 1984
9 wickets v South Africa, SCG 1992
9 wickets v West Indies, WACA 1992
9 wickets v Pakistan, Rawalpindi 1994
9 wickets v West Indies, St George’s 2003
9 wickets v England, Headingley 2005
9 wickets v India, Jaipur 2013
9 wickets v Pakistan, Lahore 2022
9 wickets v Pakistan, Adelaide Oval 2024

AAP

Thank you for your company this afternoon and this evening as we look forward to the series decider in Perth.

A confident Pakistan team in any format is an extremely dangerous one and if they can combine their bowling attack so well with their openers, it will be a stiff challenge for Australia to face in Perth on Sunday as they try to wrestle back the series.

To win in Adelaide is tough, but to win by nine wickets with so much fair is an achievement to be savoured and this result will be really enjoyed across Pakistan, and why not? It was a pleasure to watch throughout.

Until next time.

Saim Ayub enjoyed a brilliant day with the bat.Credit: Getty Images

Speaking to Fox Cricket Pat Cummins is understandably finding it hard to hide his disappointment after such a comprehensive defeat against Pakistan.

“We’ve been pretty good of late, but today was right up there every with our very worst unfortunately.

You’d hope you’d get more than 160 odd, I thought they bowled well, but I think we could be better at finding a way to get to a better total.”

In his own words, Cummins mind now switches his mind to the red ball, as he looks forward to the visit of India, with the responsibility of winning the series falling onto Josh Inglis in Perth.

That’s it all over. Babar Azam smashes the ball for six to add a definitive full stop to a difficult afternoon and evening for Australia.

After just 26 overs, Pakistan have beaten Australia by nine wickets in Australia after an outstanding performance with the ball and bat to get their first ODI victory at Adelaide Oval since 1996.

After winning the toss, Pakistan elected to bowl and Haris Rauf got a five-wicket haul that played a major role in restricting Australia to a 163 total that was easily chased down after a strong opening partnership Saim Ayub with 82 runs and Abdullah Shafique ending unbeaten on 64.

Australia were extremely disappointing with the bat with Steve Smith the pick with 35 runs, before the lower order fell apart after being given a brief kiss of life from Adam Zampa on 18.

The teams will now head to the decider at Optus Stadium in Perth on Sunday, with this Pakistan team extremely confident that they can win this decider.

Pakistan win by nine wickets

Pakistan’s Abdullah Shafique raises his bat after making 50 runsCredit: AP

Shafique brings up his half century after playing a strong supporting role to the main act of Saim Ayub.

LIke Ayub, Shafique will look to Sunday’s potential decider in Perth with huge confidence after today’s work in Adelaide.

Pakistan 1-143 (after 22 overs)

A brilliant 82 runs from 71 runs comes to end after Hazlewood takes a straight forward catch from Zampa’s bowling.

It seemed like it would never happen, but finally Australia have managed to get a wicket in Adelaide. Let’s see if they can build on this and keep this game a little more balanced at least. Babar Azam is now in, so very much easier said than done.

Zampa has a wicket and a maiden.

Pakistan 1-137 (after 19 overs)

Pakistan’s Saim Ayub raises his bat after making 50 runsCredit: AP

Australia just cannot crack the Ayub batting code. He smashes his fifth six of the evening and is enjoying every moment of this contest, and why wouldn’t he?

Conversely, it is desperate times for Australia, who barring a miracle, will lose to Pakistan in Adelaide for the first time since 1996.

Just 52 runs to hit the target.

Pakistan 0-112 (after 16 overs)

After a slow start, Pakistan are currently on a run rate of 6.13, set against the required run rate of 1.97 as we move into the 15th over.

It may be tempting fate, but the fans in Adelaide Oval will be increasingly confident they can get a late dinner reservation in the city of churches the way this game is going.

Pakistan are up over 100 as Ayub gets his fourth six. 22 years old and in his second ODI and dominating this game.

Pakistan 0-101 (after 15 overs)

Pakistan’s Saim Ayub bats against Australia Credit: AP