Haris Rauf, the Pakistan fast bowler, took a five-wicket haul for the second time in his career, to help his team win the second ODI of the three-match series against Australia at the Adelaide Oval on Friday, November 8. The exceptional bowling spell from the right-arm pacer was instrumental in bundling out Australia for just 163 runs in 35 overs before the top order of Pakistan chased down the target with nine wickets in hand and 141 balls to spare.
After his Pakistan’s fast bowling teammates made early inroads in the Australian innings, Haris Rauf unleashed a fiery spell of fast bowling in the second power play stage. The 31-year-old singlehandedly demolished the middle order of Australia by picking up wickets of Jos Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Aaron Hardie, Glenn Maxwell, and captain Pat Cummins
Haris Rauf registered figures of 5/29 in his eight-over spell against Australia in second ODI
Ultimately, Haris Rauf ended up with figures of 5/29 in his eight-over spell while conceding just one four off his bowling, to give a lease of life to Pakistan in the three-match ODI series. His teammate Shaheen Afridi also returned to form with a three-wicket haul in his eight-over spell, which included a maiden, while Naseem Shah and Mohammad Hasnain contributed to the cause with a wicket each too.
In pursuit of the 164-run target, Saim Ayub played a sparkling innings of 82 runs in just 71 balls, which included five fours and six maximums. He stitched together an opening stand of 137 runs with Abdullah Shafique (64* off 69), who stayed at the crease alongside Babar Azam (15 off 20) as Pakistan went past the finishing line, to level the three-match ODI series at 1-1 with the final game set to happen in two day’s time at the Optus Stadium in Perth.