Fast bowler Nathan Ellis delivered a career-best four-wicket haul as an understrength Australian side stunned Pakistan by 41 runs in the second One-Day International in Lahore on Tuesday, leveling the three-match series at 1-1. Australia posted 231-9 in 50 overs, anchored by fighting half-centuries from Josh Inglis and Cameron Green, before Ellis’s 4-33 dismantled Pakistan’s batting lineup, bowling them out for 190 in 44 overs.
Match Summary
After losing the first match in Rawalpindi by five wickets, Australia’s second-string squad mounted a remarkable comeback. Despite missing key ODI players like Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood, the visitors displayed confidence against Pakistan’s spin attack and batting lineup. Allrounder Shadab Khan fought a lone battle for Pakistan with a resolute 104-ball 71, hitting three sixes and a boundary. He was the last man dismissed, stumped off spinner Tanveer Sangha’s wide delivery, sealing Australia’s victory. Ghazi Ghori contributed 37 runs with five boundaries.
Key Performances
Shadab Khan repaired Pakistan’s faltering innings from 6-78, adding 59 runs with Arafat Minhas (33) and another 31 with Shaheen Shah Afridi (11). However, Ellis, whose previous best was 2-13 against India in 2023, dismissed Minhas leg-before to open the door for Australia. Part-time spinner Matthew Short also claimed a career-best 3-36.
Ellis’s Impact
Ellis gave Australia an ideal start by removing Maaz Sadaqat for a duck off the third ball of the innings, then claimed the prized wicket of Babar Azam for 16. Australian captain Josh Inglis praised the team effort, saying, “I think the guys played really well. You can always call on Nello (Ellis) on those sorts of pitches; his variations are outstanding, and he bowled outstanding tonight.”
Pakistan’s Perspective
Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi rued conceding extra runs in the final overs, stating, “I think we gave away 20-30 extra runs toward the end. We lost wickets early on, and that built pressure on us.”
Australia’s Innings
Earlier, Cameron Green scored a polished 92-ball 53, while Josh Inglis made a 74-ball 51 after Pakistan elected to field. The duo lifted Australia from 51-3 with a sedate 51-run stand after Pakistan introduced spin as early as the fifth over. Pacer Shaheen bowled opener Alex Carey with the first ball of the match, and spinners Abrar Ahmed and Arafat Minhas struck once each, removing Matthew Short (15) and Marnus Labuschagne (5) respectively. Inglis hit five boundaries in his fifth ODI fifty before being bowled by Minhas in the 27th over. Minhas, who took five wickets on debut in Rawalpindi, finished with 2-27.
Green added 65 runs for the fifth wicket with Matthew Renshaw (43) before Abrar removed Green. Green’s third ODI half-century included one boundary and two sixes. Oliver Peake ensured a fighting total with a brisk 32-ball 31, including two sixes and a boundary. Shaheen was the best home bowler with 3-36.
Series Decider
The series now heads to a decider, also in Lahore, on Thursday. Both teams will look to capitalize on their strengths in the final match.
