PAK vs AUS: Saim Ayub’s fiery 50 sets Pakistan on course for 164-run chase

Rauf’s five-wicket haul earlier dismantled Australia’s middle order in the second ODI.

Saim Ayub's unbeaten 82*, alongside Abdullah Shafique's solid 47*, has Pakistan cruising towards a comfortable chase on Friday at Adeliade Oval in the second ODI of three-match series against hosts Australia. 

In the first innings, Australia were bowled out for 163 in the second ODI of the three-match series, as Haris Rauf tormented the hosts with a brilliant 5 for 29, giving Pakistan a strong chance to level the series.

Maxwell departs after Rauf's pinpoint delivery topples his stumps at Australia 129/7. November 8, 2024. PHOTO: EXPRESS/Huzaifa Siddiqui

Rauf, who produced the second five-wicket haul of his ODI career, dismantled Australia's middle order, with his dismissal of Marnus Labuschagne standing out as a particularly superb delivery.

Four of Rauf's wickets came through catches from Pakistan's captain Mohammad Rizwan, who equaled the record for the most dismissals by a wicketkeeper in an ODI (six).

However, Rizwan missed a late opportunity to break the record with a dropped chance.

Steven Smith was Australia's top scorer with 35, as the team’s batting crumbled on a pitch that, despite a good covering of grass, did not warrant such a collapse.

Rauf’s pace and precision continued to disrupt Australia’s footwork, leaving him with impressive figures of 17-0-96-8 across both innings in the series.

Australia’s new opening pair, Matt Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk, again failed to impress.

The pair had been under scrutiny following their performances in the first ODI, with former cricketer Ian Healy describing them as “schoolyard bullies” for their aggressive approach. Both were dismissed within seven overs, contributing to Australia’s early downfall.

Fraser-McGurk’s promising start in the second over, where he struck three boundaries, was cut short when he was pinned lbw by Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Short, who should have been dismissed on 8 when Shaheen dropped a simple catch at deep square leg, eventually went for 8 when he cut a wide delivery to cover, where Babar Azam took a sharp catch.

Smith, who had looked in solid form, including a six off Mohammad Hasnain, was fortunate to survive on 14 when a cut shot off Rauf burst through Saim Ayub’s hands at point.

But Rauf soon claimed his first wicket, with Josh Inglis gloving a pull down the leg side to Rizwan. Rauf’s next two wickets—Labuschagne and Aaron Hardie—both fell to excellent deliveries, while Glenn Maxwell dragged a pull onto his stumps after hitting a reverse sweep for six.

Hasnain also made a crucial contribution, claiming the wicket of Smith, who narrowly avoided being given lbw before being dismissed for a top edge on the following delivery.

Naseem Shah took his first wicket of the match when he found Mitchell Starc’s outside edge, and Rauf claimed his fifth with a top edge from Pat Cummins.

Rizwan dropped a top edge from Adam Zampa, but Pakistan still had the last laugh as Zampa was dismissed for just the second six of his ODI career before falling to Shaheen.

Australia, who had been expected to make a stronger showing, were dismissed for 163, leaving Pakistan with a realistic chance to level the series.