Australia delivered a crushing response to Pakistan’s opening victory, leveling the three-match ODI series at 1-1 with a commanding 42-run win at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday. The result dampened what had been a celebratory week for Pakistani cricket following their historic 1000th ODI appearance and a stunning debut performance that had given them early momentum.
Chasing a modest target of 232, Pakistan’s batting lineup crumbled under pressure, managing just 190 runs before being dismissed in 44 overs. The collapse exposed familiar fragilities in the middle order, leaving fans frustrated after the promise shown in Rawalpindi just days earlier.
The Green Shirts stumbled immediately, losing both openers Maaz Sadaqat and Sahibzada Farhan with only six runs on the board inside two overs. Former captain Babar Azam briefly threatened a recovery with two boundaries, but his dismissal for 16 in the fifth over triggered a devastating slide. Salman Ali Agha and Abdul Samad fell cheaply, and wicketkeeper Ghazi Ghori’s gritty 37 could not prevent Pakistan slumping to 78 for six.
Shadab Khan emerged as Pakistan’s lone warrior, crafting a defiant 71 off 104 deliveries with three sixes and a boundary. He found support from Arafat Minhas, who contributed 33 in a crucial 59-run partnership, and captain Shaheen Shah Afridi added 11. But once Shaheen departed, the tail offered little resistance. Nathan Ellis ripped through Pakistan’s batting order, claiming four wickets for 33 runs, while Matthew Short grabbed three scalps to seal Australia’s victory.
Earlier, Pakistan’s bowlers had restricted Australia to 231 for nine in 50 overs despite half-centuries from captain Josh Inglis and all-rounder Cameron Green. Shaheen struck with the very first ball, dismissing Alex Carey for a golden duck, setting the tone for a disciplined bowling performance. Inglis responded with a composed 51 off 74 balls, while Green anchored the middle order with 53 from 92 deliveries.
Matthew Short’s late cameo of 43 and Oliver Peake’s quickfire 31 pushed Australia past 230, giving their bowlers enough runs to defend. Shaheen led Pakistan’s attack with three wickets, supported by two apiece from Minhas, Haris Rauf, and Abrar Ahmed.
The defeat was a bitter pill for Pakistan after their triumphant series opener in Rawalpindi, where they chased down 201 with five wickets and 45 balls to spare. That match had been a landmark occasion—Pakistan’s 1000th ODI—and 21-year-old Minhas stole the show with a record-breaking debut. His five-wicket haul for 32 runs became the best bowling figures by any Pakistani on ODI debut, surpassing a 41-year-old record held by Zakir Khan.
Minhas dismantled Australia’s top order in Rawalpindi, claiming the scalps of Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Matthew Short, and Nathan Ellis. His performance, combined with half-centuries from Babar Azam and Ghazi Ghori, had given Pakistan a commanding start to the series and made the nation’s 1000th ODI a memorable celebration.
Pakistan became only the third team in cricket history to reach the 1000-ODI milestone, joining India and Australia. Since their debut against New Zealand in 1973, Pakistan have won 527 of 999 matches, including their 1992 World Cup triumph and 2017 Champions Trophy victory over India.
But Tuesday’s collapse in Lahore brought Pakistan crashing back to earth. The series now stands level at 1-1, with the decider set to determine whether Pakistan can build on their historic week or whether Australia will claim another series victory on Pakistani soil. For Pakistani fans, the stakes could not be higher as their team seeks redemption in the final match.
