Adelaide, November 8, 2024 – The Europe Today: Pakistan defeated Australia by 9 wickets with 141 balls to spare in a commanding performance at Adelaide. Haris Rauf was named Player of the Match for his outstanding bowling performance, taking five wickets to restrict Australia to a modest total of 163 runs. Rauf expressed his delight after the match: “We are so happy to win this game. Yes, Pakistan fans come out to see us everywhere in the world. [Regarding his BBL experience] I’ve played a lot for the Melbourne Stars, so I know these conditions well.”
Pakistan skipper Mohammad Rizwan praised his team: “Obviously this win gives us confidence. We want to keep that confidence going. All bowlers had plans and executed them perfectly. [On Haris Rauf] Not only do we enjoy watching him bowl, but cricket fans around the world also appreciate his performance.”
Australia’s captain Pat Cummins admitted it wasn’t their best day: “We hoped to score more than 160. Their bowlers performed well, but we aimed for a bigger total. We tried to be aggressive, but it didn’t go our way. I’ve spoken to [Inglis], and he’ll be fine. He has plenty of experience. [On preparing for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy] Good training sessions ahead, and now our focus shifts to the red-ball games.”
Pakistan’s dominant display began with a stellar bowling effort led by Haris Rauf, who took five wickets, putting Australia on the back foot. In response, openers Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique put on a 137-run stand. Ayub, playing just his second ODI, scored an impressive 82 runs, while Shafique contributed 64. Captain Babar Azam sealed the victory with a six.
Saim Ayub shared his thoughts: “The most important thing is the team’s victory. We planned to stay positive and focus on our performance. Trusting myself, watching the ball, and keeping calm were key. Haris Rauf was phenomenal, but credit goes to the entire bowling unit for supporting him well.”
