LAHORE - Excellent bowling from Nathan Ellis and a fine all-round display by Matthew Short guided Australia to a 41-run victory over Pakistan in the second One-Day International at Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday night. The win leveled the three-match series at 1-1.
Australia Defend Modest Total
Chasing a target of 232, Pakistan were bowled out for 190 in 44 overs despite a fighting 71 from Shadab Khan. The hosts got off to a terrible start, losing two early wickets. Nathan Ellis struck in the first over to dismiss Maaz Sadaqat for a duck, and Matthew Kuhnemann removed Sahibzada Farhan, leaving Pakistan at 6-2.
Ellis then trapped Babar Azam lbw for 16, while Short dismissed Salman Agha and Abdul Samad to reduce Pakistan to 58-5. Ghazi Ghori offered some resistance with 37 before Adam Zampa broke the stand, making it 78-6. Arafat Minhas contributed 33 before falling to Ellis. Shadab fought almost alone, hitting three sixes and a boundary in a gritty 104-ball 71.
Bowling Figures
- Nathan Ellis: 4-33
- Matthew Short: 3-36
- Matthew Kuhnemann: 1 wicket
- Adam Zampa: 1 wicket
- Tanveer Sangha: 1 wicket
Pakistan's Bowlers Restrict Australia
Earlier, Pakistan captain Shaheen Afridi elected to field first, and his bowlers restricted Australia to 231-9. Shaheen bowled Alex Carey with the first ball of the match. Australia slipped to 51-3 as Abrar Ahmed removed Short and Arafat accounted for Marnus Labuschagne. Captain Josh Inglis steadied the innings with 51 off 74 balls before Minhas dismissed him. Jake Green anchored the middle order with 53, sharing key partnerships with Inglis and Matt Renshaw, who made a brisk 43. Oliver Peake's late 31 helped Australia cross 230.
Pakistan Bowling Figures
- Shaheen Afridi: 3-36
- Abrar Ahmed: 2-34
- Arafat Minhas: 2-27
- Haris Rauf: 2-49
Match Summary
Australia: 231-9 in 50 overs (Green 53, Inglis 51, Renshaw 43; Shaheen 3-36, Arafat 2-27, Abrar 2-34, Haris 2-49) beat Pakistan: 190 all out in 44 overs (Shadab 71, Ghazi 37, Arafat 33; Ellis 4-33, Short 3-36) by 41 runs.
