Ayub hits 82 as Pakistan crush Australia in 2nd ODI

AFP | Adelaide                                         

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Saim Ayub slammed a swashbuckling 82 and Abdullah Shafique an unbeaten 64 as Pakistan demolished Australia by nine wickets to level their one-day series yesterday at the Adelaide Oval.

Replying to the hosts’ modest 163 all out, thanks to pace spearhead Haris Rauf’s 5-29, Pakistan reached 169-1 with a huge 141 balls to spare.

It set up a series decider on Sunday at Perth Stadium after Australia won a tense first match in Melbourne by two wickets.

Openers Ayub and Shafique started the chase slowly, pinned down by Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins, with just 47 coming from the first 10 overs. But they began swinging the bat after that with Ayub smacking a big six from Cummins then crunching another off Mitchell Starc.

The 22 - year- old was dropped by Adam Zampa on 47 and capitalised by bringing up his maiden ODI half-century in only his second match, with Shafique joining the fun with some giant sixes of his own.

Ayub finally succumbed to the spin of Zampa going for another big hit, caught by Hazlewood, ending a 71-ball stay that included five fours and six sixes.

Babar Azam (15 not out) joined Shafique to see Pakistan home, ending the match with the 10th six of their innings.

“The most important thing is the team won,” said Ayub. “We planned to be positive and not to think about the result but the most important thing is how we play as a team. “Credit goes to Haris Rauf, but the other bowlers also supported him well.”