Pakistan Australia ODI Series 
2nd Match Played at Lahore on 31st March 2022 
Pakistan 349/4 in 49 Overs (Babar Azam 114, Imam Ul Haq 106, Fakhar Zaman 67, Khushdil Shah 27*, Mohammad Rizwan 23) 
beat 
Australia 348/8 (Ben McDermott 104, Travis Head 89, Marnus Labuschagne 59, Marcus Stoinis 49, Shaheen Shah Afridi 4/63, Wasim Junior 2/56) by 6 Wickets.
Series Result :1-1 
Player of the Match: Babar Azam.

Flamboyant Babar Azam once again displaying wonderful brand of aggressive yet classic batting led his team Pakistan to a milestone setting highest run case win against Australia at Lahore. The 6 wickets win in high scoring match squared the three matches ODI series after two matches with all to play for in the third match. Sent into bat Australia riding on excellent batting of Ben McDermott (104) ,Travis Head (89) , Manus Labuschagne (59) and Marcus Stoinis ( 49) produced a huge score of 348/8 on an easy paced wicket. Chasing such a steep target against Australia was extremely challenging. Pakistan with all guns blazing took up the challenge. Right from the word go Fakhar Zaman (67) and Imam Ul Haq (106) counter punching set the tone. The imperious Babar Azam (114) teaming with Imam craftily led the charge. At final stage Khushdil Shah (27*) took the team across the rope with Pakistan cruising to 349/4 with an over to spare. Pakistan won an ODI against Australia after 10 matches and that too setting a new milestone of chasing highest target. Babar raised his bar still higher scoring his 15th ODI century ,his fourth as a captain. Babar is the now fastest reaching 15th ODI century in 83 Innings breaking the records held earlier by Hashim Amla of South Africa.

Having won the first ODI by a comfortable margin and scoring 348/8 batting first Australia was 4-1 favorite for winning the match and wrapping up the series. But was undone by brilliant all round batting Pakistan. Fakhar and Imam set the tone producing 118 in the opening partnership. Then amazing Babar produced that spectacular classic innings. Australia left nothing unturned . But Aaron Flinch and men could only watch Pakistan winning brilliantly. The last match would now be a tie breaker. Some person may think had Cummins , Starc and Hazelwood were there it would not be possible for Pakistan. But from the way Pakistan batted we are confident Babar and his would have achieved it. From the way the team set about their task from the outset they would have won any way.

Babar won the task and let Australia bat. Shaheen rested in the first match set fire to stands in the Lahore stand trapping Aussie captain Flinch right in front in the very first over. But in front Travis Head (89) and emerging Ben McDermott (104) set a solid foundation to Australian innings with a stroke full 162 in the 2nd wicket partnership. From there on Marnus Labuschagne (59) and Marcus Stoinis (49) led Australia to an apparent match winning score of 348/8 in allotted over. It could be still more had not irresistible Shaheen stemmed the flow of runs with 3 more wickets in his last speed. 

It was do or die situation for Pakistan. All are aware of Fakhar’s flamboyance. For a change Imam is in amazing form. The two counter punching Australians set Pakistan into motion producing 118 in 18.5 overs. Entered Emperor Babar with a mission. With his young partner Imam in full cry Babar adding 111 for the 2nd wicket in 15.2 overs pushed Pakistan on the right track. Babar got out scoring 114 in 83 balls. The score was 309/3 in 44.2 overs with victory in sight. His mates Mohammad Rizwan (23) and Khushdil Shah (27*) ensured that there was no twist in the turn. Pakistan winning by 6 wickets with an over to spare registered the record of highest ever ODI run chase. Pakistan won an ODI against Australia after 10 matches. 
World Cricket witnessed a fascinating a fabulous run feast. 

BDST: 1329 HRS, April 01, 2022 
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