Pakistan recorded their highest successful run chase in ODIs

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 The Pakistan Cricket Team registered their highest ever run-chase during the 2nd One-day international played at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on Thursday.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam won the toss and decided to field first. It was an ideal start for the hosts as Shaheen Shah Afridi dismissed Australian captain Aaron Finch off the very first ball. Travis Head and Ben McDermott kept quiet for a few overs before putting the Pakistani bowlers under immense pressure with their hitting abilities. At the end of the first 10 overs, Australia scored 65 for 1.

After the field restrictions, Head and McDermott kept the pressure on the Pakistan bowling line-up hitting big shots easily. Head completed his fifty off 45 balls while McDermott reached half-century off 52 balls to maintain the momentum for Australia. It was a brilliant batting display as they never allowed the Pakistani bowlers to settle making life tough for Babar Azam. McDermott was given out but on review, it was overturned.

Zahid Mahmood struck for Pakistan dismissing Head providing a simple catch to Shaheen Shah Afridi at short third man. Head and McDermott added 163 runs for the 2nd wicket. Marnus Labuschagne kept the momentum going on keeping the scoreboard ticking along with McDermott. McDermott completed his maiden ODI century off 102 balls.

Mohammad Wasim dismissed well-set McDermott providing an easy catch to Haris Rauf. Labuschagne and McDermott added 74 runs for the 3rd wicket. Marcus Stoinis also played with intent keeping the charge going on. Labuschagne and Stoinis kept the pressure on the Pakistan bowlers. Labuschagne completed his fifty off 41 balls. Khushdil Shah dismissed Labuschagne ending 35 runs partnership for the 4th wicket.

Australia lost 2 quick wickets of Cameron Green and Alex Carey cheaply. Marcus Stoinis and Sean Abbott provided impetus at the end with lusty blows, especially Sean Abbott. Shaheen Shah Afridi dismissed both Stoinis and Sean Abbott in the last over. Stoinis and Abbott added 42 runs for the 7th wicket. Australia posted a massive total of 348 for 8 in 50 overs.

Chasing 349 runs to win, Fakhar Zaman and Imam showed intent right from the word go putting pressure on the Australian inexperienced bowling line-up. Pakistan openers kept the pressure and made life tough for opposition bowlers. At the end of the first 10 overs, the hosts raced away to 63 for 0.

Zaman and Imam never allowed the Australian bowlers to settle. Zaman looked in decent touch to complete fifty off 48 balls. The Pakistani openers kept the scoreboard ticking with boundaries and taking singles. Marcus Stoinis eventually struck for Australia dismissing Zaman. Zaman and Imam added 118 runs laying a strong foundation.

Babar Azam played with intent and never allowed the Australian bowlers to settle. Imam completed fifty off 50 balls. Babar and Imam kept the scoreboard ticking not allowing Adam Zampa and Swepson to settle. Imam took the attack to Australian bowlers completing his century off 90 balls. After the drinks break, Imam gifted his wicket away providing an easy catch to Labuschagne. Imam and Babar added 111 runs for the 2nd wicket.

Mohammad Rizwan was promoted to number 4 and did a superb job giving support to Babar Azam. The Pakistan captain Babar completed fifty off 42 balls. Babar looked in great touch making life tough for the Australian bowlers.

It was a brilliant batting display by Babar Azam who kept the pace along with Rizwan. Babar completed century off 73 balls. Nathan Ellis dismissed a well-set Babar with an easy catch to Labuschagne. Babar and Rizwan added 80 runs for the 3rd wicket. Zampa got rid of Rizwan caught at long-on by Abbott.

Khushdil Shah provided some lusty blows to shift the momentum in favor of Pakistan along with Ifkthitar Ahmed. Both added unbeaten 32 runs for the 5th wicket.

Pakistan 349 for 4 in 49 overs (Babar Azam 114, Imam 106, Zampa 2/71) beat Australia 348 for 8 in 50 overs ( Ben McDermott 109, Head 89, Shaheen Shah Afridi 4/63) by 6 wickets.

For his 114 off 83 balls, Babar Azam was named the man of the match award. Pakistan gained 10 important points in the ICC ODI Super League tournament. With this win, the series is leveled at 1-1.

The third and deciding game will be played on 2nd April at the same venue.

 







Pakistan recorded their highest ever run-chase in ODIs 

  

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