Australia defended a modest total of 232 to beat Pakistan by 41 runs in the second ODI at Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday, leveling the three-match series at 1-1.
Bowling first after Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi won the toss and elected to field, Australia posted 231-9 in 50 overs. Josh Inglis and Cameron Green each scored half-centuries for the visitors.
In reply, Pakistan was bowled out for 190 in 44 overs despite a defiant 71 off 104 balls from Shadab Khan, who hit three sixes and one four.
Pakistan’s chase unraveled early. Openers Maaz Sadaqat (0) and Sahibzada Farhan (3) fell inside two overs with only six runs on the board. Babar Azam (16 off 16) hit two boundaries before being dismissed by Nathan Ellis in the fifth over. Salman Ali Agha (7) and Abdul Samad (2) followed quickly.
Wicketkeeper Ghazi Ghori made a gritty 37 off 48 balls with five fours before being bowled by Adam Zampa in the 17th over, leaving Pakistan at 78-6.
Shadab and Arafat Minhas (33 off 43) added 59 runs for the seventh wicket. After Minhas fell to Ellis, Shadab put on 31 with Shaheen Afridi (11) and 21 with Haris Rauf, who scored a 15-ball duck. Shadab was finally out to Tanveer Sangha on the first ball of the 45th over.
Ellis led Australia’s attack with 4-33 in nine overs. Matthew Short took three wickets, while Matthew Kuhnemann, Zampa and Sangha claimed one each.
Earlier, Australia’s innings stumbled immediately when Shaheen Afridi bowled opener Alex Carey for a golden duck on the first delivery. Inglis (51 off 74) and Matthew Short (15) added 46 for the second wicket before Short fell to Abrar Ahmed.
Marnus Labuschagne made five before falling to Minhas, leaving Australia at 51-3. Inglis and Green (53 off 92) shared 51 runs before Inglis was removed by Minhas. Green and Matt Renshaw then added 65 for the sixth wicket. Green eventually fell to Abrar in the 40th over.
Short contributed 43 off 43 before being bowled by Haris Rauf. Shaheen dismissed Kuhnemann (5) and Ellis (0) in the death overs, while Oliver Peake scored a run-a-ball 31 to push Australia past 230.
Shaheen finished with 3-36 in eight overs. Minhas, Rauf and Abrar took two wickets each.
The series finale is scheduled for Friday at the same venue.
