Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi praised skipper Mohammad Rizwan and the entire team after their nine-wicket win over Australia in the second ODI in Adelaide on Friday. Haris Rauf, Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique led Pakistan's dominant comeback to complete a powerful nine-wicket win over Australia to level the three-match series at 1-1. After the match, Afridi turned to X and said that “when a captain inspires, the team fires”. He also praised Rizwan, Haris, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Saim and Abdullah for their “great” performances.
“When a captain inspires, the team shoots! What a phenomenal comeback performance from Pakistan in Adelaide – securing our first-ever nine-wicket win over world champions Australia on their home ground! This win is a huge confidence booster for the upcoming ODIs. It word 'amazing' hardly does justice to today's great performance from Rizwan, Haris, Shaheen, Saim and Abdullah Guys, keep believing in yourselves, and inshallah more successes are around the corner.” Afridi wrote in his post.
Pakistan won the toss and opted to bowl first, a decision that worked in their favour. With the exception of Steve Smith (35 off 48 balls, with five fours and a six), no Australian batsman could surpass the 20-run mark, with Australia bowled out for 163 in 35 overs.
Haris Rauf (5/29) bowled a superb spell over eight overs while Shaheen took three wickets for 26 runs. Naseem Shah and Mohammad Hasnain provided a wicket each.
Chasing 164, Saim Ayub (82 off 71 balls, with five fours and six sixes) and Abdullah Shafique (64* off 69 balls, with four boundaries and three sixes) displayed brilliant batting to secure victory by nine wickets in the hand and over 23 overs left.
Rauf was named 'Player of the Match' for his match-winning performance.
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