LAHORE: Australia bounced back in emphatic fashion, leveling the three-match ODI series 1-1 after beating Pakistan by 41 runs in the second ODI at the Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday. The victory sets up a thrilling series decider on June 4 at the same venue.
A fighting knock from @76Shadabkhan 🏏
Australia win the second ODI by 41 runs.#PAKvAUS | #TakraarKaTime | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/VnEloFZfuP
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) June 2, 2026
Chasing a modest target of 232 runs for victory, Pakistan’s batting line-up crumbled under pressure, folding for just 190 runs in 44 overs. Australian fast bowler Nathan Ellis was the destroyer-in-chief, claiming four wickets, while part-time spinner Matthew Short chipped in with three crucial scalps.
Australia post 231/9 after early scare
Earlier, Australia recovered from a disastrous start to post231/9in their 50 overs. Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi struck on the very first ball of the innings, bowling Alex Carey for a golden duck.
Josh Inglis (51 off 74 balls) and Cameron Green (53 off 92 balls) steadied the ship with patient half-centuries, while Matt Renshaw (43 off 43 balls) and Oliver Peake (31 off 32 balls) provided late fireworks to push Australia past 230.
Shaheen finished with impressive figures of 3/36 from his 8 overs, while Haris Rauf (2/49), Arafat Minhas (2/27), and Abrar Ahmed (2/34) shared the remaining wickets.
Pakistan’s chase falls apart early
Pakistan’s reply never gained momentum. The home side lost wickets at regular intervals and were never truly in the chase.
Maaz Sadaqat fell for a duck on just the third ball of the innings, caught off Nathan Ellis. Sahibzada Farhan followed soon after for 3, and Babar Azam was trapped lbw for 16, leaving Pakistan reeling at 33/3.
Ghazi Ghori fought hard with 37 off 48 balls, but when he fell in the 17th over, Pakistan were struggling at 78/6. Shadab Khan played a lone hand, scoring a defiant 71 off 104 balls with three sixes, but he ran out of partners. He was the last man out in the 44th over, caught behind off Matthew Short.
Australia pull one back to set up a riveting ODI series decider against Pakistan 🙌
📝: https://t.co/vmuJTsCLdf pic.twitter.com/ogwpKhGbng
— ICC (@ICC) June 2, 2026
Ellis and Short star with the ball
Nathan Ellis was the pick of the Australian bowlers, returning outstanding figures of 4/33 from his 9 overs, including the key wickets of Sadaqat, Babar Azam, Arafat Minhas, and Haris Rauf.
Matthew Short proved his value with the ball, taking 3/36 from his 8 overs, dismissing Salman Agha, Abdul Samad, and the dangerous Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Adam Zampa (1/30) and Tanveer Sangha (1/22) provided excellent support, while Matthew Kuhnemann (1/41) also picked up a wicket.
Series headed for decider
With the series now locked at 1-1, both teams will face off in the third and final ODI on Thursday, June 4, at the same Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The winner will take home the series trophy.
Pakistan had won the first ODI in Rawalpindi by five wickets. Australia’s victory in Lahore ensures the series will go down to the wire in what promises to be a thrilling finale.
