Pakistan romped to their highest ever successful ODI chase after centuries from Imam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam scoring 349 runs to beat Australia in the second match of the series at Lahore.
After again electing to bowl first, the returning Shaheen Afridi gave Pakistan a dream start with the wicket of Aaron Finch in the first over, but it was as good as it got for the hosts for the remainder of the innings.
Travis Head, centurion in the first match joined forces with Ben McDermott as the duo took Pakistan bowlers to cleaners. Both batsmen brought up their fifties quickly and put on 162 in 144 balls.
Travis fell short off a second consecutive hundred after Zahid Mahmood accounted for his wicket op-edging a slog-sweep. But that didn’t stop the Aussies. McDermott in particular targeted Iftikhar Ahmed’s poor bowling, with the spinner going for 38 runs in 4 overs.
Labuschagne and McDermott added 74 runs in 63 balls. McDermott brought up his maiden ODI century and then fell shortly after scoring 104 off 108 balls smashing 10 fours and four sixes in the process.
Labuschagne scored a quick fifty but Pakistan made a slight comeback with quick wickets. First Labuschagne dismissed by Khushdil Shah and then Alex Carrey and Cameron Green fell within the next 5 overs with Australia 301/6 in 45.2 overs.
However aggressive batting by Marcus Stoinis (49 off 33) and Sean Abbott (28 off 16) meant Australia reached an imposing 348/8 in 50 overs.
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Pakistan openers Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq started strongly and runs came at a brisk pace without taking much of a risk.
Zaman took his usual aggressive approach while Imam also continued to support him ably at the other end. Zaman brought up his fifty as the hosts looked in control.
Zaman was then foxed by Stoinis off a slow ball as he was bowled scoring 67 off 64 balls with Pakistan at 118/1 in 18.5 overs.
The stage was now set for Pakistan’s talismanic captain Babar Azam to guide the chase alongwith Imam.
Imam took on the attack targeting Adam Zampa and played a perfect innings as Pakistan ate into the tall chase. Imam then completed his second successive century of the series with this 100 coming off 90 balls. Babar Azam continued to score at a brisk pace at the other end and brought up his fifty.
Imam was dismissed by Zampa trying to hit one over with Pakistan now in a dominant position of 229/2 in 34.1 overs.
Babar continued his assault, highlighting why he is one of the best in this format. An 80-run stand was built between Mohammad Rizwan and Babar, off just 61 balls.
Criticized for slow strike rate in the first match, Babar powered to a 71-ball 100 as Australia looked beleagured. The Pakistani captain was out for 114 runs off just 84 balls, with the hosts needing 40 runs off 34 balls.
If this seemed a formality it turned out anything but. Rizwan played a poor shot off Zampa and got out in the deep. Iftikhar Ahmed and Khushdil Shah struggled for boundaries as Australia made a comeback in the game.
With 27 needed from the last three overs, some big hits from Khushdil Shah, who turned on his PSL form ensured that Pakistan got home in style with 6 balls to spare.
This win marked Pakistan’s first win against Australia since 2017. It was also their highest successful run chase in ODIs.
The final game is set for Saturday at Lahore with the series level at 1-1.
Brief scores:
Australia: 348/8 in 50 overs (Travis Head 89, Ben McDermott 104, Marnus Labuschagne 59, Marcus Stoinis 49, Sean Abbott 28; Shaheen Afridi 4-63, Mohammad Wasim Jr 2-56)
Pakistan: 352/4 in 49 overs (Fakhar Zaman 67, Imam-ul-Haq 106, Babar Azam 114; Adam Zampa 2-71).