Australia bounced back strongly in the second ODI to level the series, defeating Pakistan by 41 runs at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Nathan Ellis starred with the ball, finishing with figures of 4/33 as Australia successfully defended a total of 231. The result means the three-match series is now tied 1–1 heading into the final game.
After struggling in Rawalpindi, Australia adapted better to the spin-friendly conditions in Lahore. They managed to bat through the full 50 overs and set Pakistan a target of 232, which proved challenging on a surface offering turn and uneven bounce.
Ellis and Matt Kuhnemann made early inroads, dismissing both openers within the first two overs. Australia continued to dominate as half the Pakistan side was reduced to 58 inside 12 overs. Shadab Khan provided resistance with a determined 71 off 104 balls, briefly raising hopes of a comeback, but lacked support from the other end. He was eventually the last wicket to fall, stumped off Tanveer Sangha, as Pakistan were bowled out in 44 overs.
Australia showed greater patience with the bat compared to the first match. Josh Inglis and Cameron Green both registered half-centuries, while Matt Renshaw and Oliver Peake contributed valuable runs lower down the order with 43 and 31 off 32 balls respectively.
The pitch conditions were expected to favour spin due to the heat, and that was evident from the outset. Alex Carey fell early, while spin was introduced as soon as the fifth over. Arafat Minhas and Abrar Ahmed exploited the slow surface effectively, with Minhas dismissing Marnus Labuschagne and later bowling Inglis after he had reached 51.
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After losing early wickets, Australia adjusted their approach. Inglis and Green built a steady partnership of 51 runs off 93 balls, focusing on rotation and absorbing pressure. Once Inglis departed, Renshaw and Green added a crucial 65-run stand to stabilise the innings.
Green reached his half-century before falling while trying to accelerate. Late wickets threatened to derail Australia’s progress, but Peake’s late hitting ensured a strong finish. He struck a boundary and a six in the final over, adding important runs to the total.
Pakistan’s chase required a similar approach, but Ellis, supported by Kuhnemann and Matt Short, proved too effective on the surface. Ellis removed Maaz Sadaqat and Babar Azam early, putting Pakistan under immediate pressure.
A promising partnership between Shadab Khan and Minhas added 59 runs, but Ellis broke the stand by trapping Minhas lbw. Shadab continued to fight, managing the strike and contributing the bulk of the runs in partnerships with the lower order.
However, once Ellis dismissed Haris Rauf, Pakistan’s hopes faded. Shadab’s resistance ended when he was stumped, bringing the innings to a close and confirming Australia’s series-leveling victory.
