Pakistan vs Australia 2nd ODI: Bowling Dominate?

Jun 2, 2026 - 22:00

Pakistan vs Australia 2nd ODI was a fine performance from the Pakistan bowling side as they limited Australia to 231/9 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The performance showed good bowling and intelligent fielding all day.

Pakistan skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi was the first trainee to impress after opting for first-ballot. His choice was a successful one at the outset. Australia’s left arm batsman and fielder Alex Carey was bowled out on the first ball of the match. That was the beginning of Pakistan’s bowling unit.

Australia had a bit of a hunky dory after the first defeat. Josh Inglis stepped in, though, and attempted to get it sorted. He made a 46-run second wicket stand with Matthew Short. The pair of short and Steyn were extremely cautious and short scored 15 off 24 balls before he met the Abrar Ahmed ball.

There was some resistance, though, with Inglis, followed by Cameron Green, as other Australians managed to hold out against the early pressure. Both hit half-centuries for the half to push the score ahead of 200 marks. Australia did not get the opportunity to push for a lead, though, as regular wickets kept coming to stamp their authority on the match.

Pakistan’s bowling attack was consistent during this innings. Daring to come on the ball early and with pace, Shaheen led the way. Abrar Ahmed came into the game in the middle overs to take control, while the other bowlers kept the scoring rate in check.

Australia never got over the first wicket collapse. The side also lost wickets at crucial moments, preventing them from getting the pace up in the death overs. It was a competitive, but poor, 231/9 as a whole, with regard to the batting line-up that is more likely to improve later in the match.

Such a disciplined performance will make Pakistan feel confident to target this score in Pakistan. The match now creates an intriguing second innings with pressure now falling on the home batting side.