Pakistan vs Australia 2nd ODI: Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq centuries guide hosts to record win 

Pakistan captain Babar Azam (114) and Imam-ul-Haq (106) notched up brilliant centuries to help the host chase down the target of 349 runs with six wickets in hand over Australia in the second ODI at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Thursday. The hosts thus drew level at 1-1 in the three-match ODI series after losing the first match by 88 runs. It was Pakistan’s first win against Australia since 2017 besides being their highest successful run chase in ODIs.

Asked to bat, Australia batters, Travis Head (89), Ben McDermott (104), Marnus Labuschagne (59) and Marcus Stoinis (49) played brilliant individual knocks to guide the visitors to a mammoth total of 348/8 in 50 overs. 

However, in the chase, the opening stand of 118 runs between Fakhar Zaman and Haq set the tempo for the chase for the hosts. Azam, later, added to the momentum with a brilliant century to help Pakistan chase down the target. 

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Pakistan vs Australia 2nd ODI: Babar Azam pleased with the team effort

Pakistan captain Babar Azam credited the team effort for the terrific victory and was proud to clinch the record victory at his hometown while Australia captain Aaron Finch thought that the opening partnership was the key to the successful run chase for the hosts. 

“The plan was to bat positively and bat in partnerships. When there are wickets in hand, it becomes easy towards the end and there won’t be any pressure of the required rate. We gave 20 runs too many and hopefully we will do better in the next game,” Azam said at the post-match interview. 

“This is my hometown and it is a proud moment for me and the team. The overall effort from the team is very pleasing. Last time we couldn’t chase it down and today it was a complete team effort,” he added. 

“I think that opening partnership set the foundation for Pakistan and Babar came in and played brilliantly. When you lose the toss, it doesn’t make much of a difference. The wicket played really well throughout. I thought we did quite well with the ball and when Pakistan took the risks, it came off and it can happen in ODI cricket with only 4 fielders out during the middle overs,” Australia captain Aaron Finch said. 

The third and final ODI will be played at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on Saturday.