AUS VS PAK ODI

Right then, we are now in a deadlock and the series decider will be played at the Optus Stadium in Perth and it should be a cracking game. Pakistan have the confidence and with Australia resting a lot of the experienced players for that final game, the visitors would be eyeing up a huge away ODI series win. However, it is the perfect platform for some of the fringe players of Australia to step up and make their name. Do join us on Sunday, 10 November at 3.30 am GMT for the action. You can also tune in to our build-up a lot sooner. Cheers!

Mohammad Rizwan, the skipper of Pakistan says a win is a win and he hopes they can continue to do well. Credits the bowlers for the way they bowled and adds they stuck to a plan, especially Haris Rauf.

Pat Cummins, the captain of Australia says they weren’t at their best, in fact, it was one of the worst days. States they needed more runs with the bat. Credits the way Pakistan bowled and adds they used the conditions well. Ends by saying Josh Inglis has a little bit of captaincy experience and he’ll do fine.

Haris Rauf is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH! Rauf says he’s very happy and his side too. Mentions the support was excellent and they are trying to make them happy. States he’s played a lot for the Melbourne Stars in the Australian Big Bash League and he’s familiar with the conditions.

The Presentation ceremony...

Saim Ayub is down for a quick chat. Starts off by mentioning the most important is that the team won. We planned to be positive and not think too far ahead for results and also tried to stay calm right throughout the innings. Furthermore adds about facing the likes of Starc, Cummins and Hazelwood he says it's about watching the ball and not the bowler. This means not getting too carried away with the bowler's stature and rather playing his way. Adds that victory always gives you confidence going forward and all the players in the team including himself are committed to the team's core values and everyone is enjoying each other's company inside the team. Talking about the bowling unit he adds that they have been bowling magnificently and especially mentions Harris Rauf and how all the bowlers surround him and back him from the other ends, he concluded.

Earlier in the game, Mohammad Rizwan won the toss and opted to bowl first on a deck that just had some moisture early on but looked great for batting. The Pakistani pacers went for a few boundaries early on but did manage to get rid of the opening pair early as well. Then came the burst from Haris Rauf in the middle phase and he completely uprooted that Aussie middle order. Steven Smith looked the only one likely to take Australia to a defendable total but he too fell. In reply, the Pakistani opening pair of Abdullah Shafique and Saim Ayub did a fine job of hitting the pacers off their lengths as the visitors cruised to victory.

Not much to write about in terms of the bowling for Australia and they were up against it right from the start. The surface was certainly a lot better than 163 runs and once they failed to get early wickets, they had to resign to the fact that there wasn't much in the deck. Adam Zampa did drop a catch but did also get a wicket, the only one of the chase as the pacers went home empty-handed and they will now look to bounce back in the series decider.

While chasing a low target, you do need to get off to a positive start to just get those jitters out of the way and that's what the Pakistani openers managed to do. They were watchful for the first few overs but after a few overs, Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique both started to attack. Ayub was the aggressor and went after the bowlers, breaking the back of the chase in the process. Ayub hit 6 biggies on his way to a fine knock of 82 off just 71 balls. Shafique on the other hand remained resolute and played his strokes as well and finished unbeaten on a lovely 64 off 69 balls.

A comprehensive win then for Pakistan and they have roared back to level up the series and the 3rd and final game will now be a series decider. This was a fine showing from start to finish and even after Australia got away to a quick start with the bat, Pakistan were able to control the game.

SIX! Finally, it's done and Babar Azam finishes things off in style, with the 10th maximum of the chase. This is dropped short on middle, Babar rocks back and flat-bats it over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie. Pakistan WIN BY 9 WICKETS!

The googly now, bowled outside off, Babar Azam keeps it out.

Flighted ball wide of off, Babar Azam opts to block it off.

The wait for the winning run continues! Full and straight, worked away to mid-wicket.

Full and outside off, seaming back in, Shafique drives it straight to mid on.

Shortish length outside off, Shafique waits back and dabs it behind point but can't get it through.

FOUR! Top shot! Floated up full and wide outside off, Abdullah Shafique with a gorgeous straight drive back past the bowler and picks up a boundary. Scores are now level!