World champions Australia have been embarrassed by Pakistan at the Adelaide Oval, suffering one of the heaviest defeats in their one-day international history.
After posting only 163, Australia were then punished in the field by Pakistan’s openers Saim Ayub (82) and Abdullah Shafique (64 not out) as the tourists raced to a nine-wicket victory in the second ODI with 141 balls to spare. It is the first time since 1992 Australia have lost a home ODI by nine wickets. They avoided becoming the first Australian team to lose a white-ball match at home by 10 wickets when Adam Zampa ended the 137-run opening stand.
“It wasn’t one of our best days,” Pat Cummins said of the heavy loss. “You hope to get more than 160 [but] they bowled well. We got some catchers in, tried to attack, but it wasn’t to be.” Pakistan’s Ayub said: “I’ve been bowling here for the Melbourne Stars, I know the pitch, I know the length. I just wanted to get the breakthrough.”
Pakistan’s stunning triumph gives them a huge opportunity to win the three-match series, with Test stars Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne to sit out Sunday’s deciding game in Perth. Those five won’t make the trip so they can prepare for the upcoming battle for the Border-Gavaskar trophy against India. Wicketkeeper Josh Inglis, who will captain Australia for the first time in Cummins’ absence, Glenn Maxwell and Zampa will be the only members of last year’s World Cup final side to play at Optus Stadium.
Pakistan’s first ODI win against Australia at the Adelaide since 1996 was set up by tearaway quick Haris Rauf, who demolished the middle order. Rauf, who has been a popular figure in the Big Bash League for the Melbourne Stars since 2020, picked up where he left off at the MCG when the Pakistan captain, Mohammad Rizwan, won the toss and opted to bowl.
Quick Guide
Australia’s biggest ODI losses, by wickets
Show
10 wickets v New Zealand, Wellington 2007
9 wickets v West Indies, SCG 1984
9 wickets v West Indies, Kingston 1984
9 wickets v South Africa, SCG 1992
9 wickets v West Indies, Waca 1992
9 wickets v Pakistan, Rawalpindi 1994
9 wickets v West Indies, St George’s 2003
9 wickets v England, Headingley 2005
9 wickets v India, Jaipur 2013
9 wickets v Pakistan, Lahore 2022
9 wickets v Pakistan, Adelaide Oval 2024
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The 31-year-old gave Pakistan a chance of a shock victory on Monday with three 67, before Cummins steered Australia home by two wickets. But Rauf (five for 29) went to another level in Adelaide with his second five-wicket haul in ODIs, dismissing Inglis, Labuschagne, Aaron Hardie and Maxwell as Australia collapsed from 79 for two to 129 for seven.
The fiery right-armer also claimed Cummins’ scalp to end any chance Australia had of posting a competitive total. Rauf finished with the best ODI figures by a Pakistan bowler at the Adelaide Oval, impressing the legendary Wasim Akram in the commentary box.
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Australia should have been all out for 147 but wicketkeeper Rizwan spilled a skied ball from Zampa. He belted a quickfire 18, even goading Rizwan into, unsuccessfully, using a review, saying: “You blokes appeal for everything. You should take [the review].” Smith finished as Australia’s top scorer with 35 when their innings ended in the 35th over.
Openers Matt Short (19) and Jake Fraser-McGurk (13) failed to silence critics of their cavalier batting. The Australia great Ian Healy had called the pair “schoolyard bullies” and urged them to temper their aggression. On Thursday, Fraser-McGurk said he would continue batting his way.
Australia’s Humiliating Loss to Pakistan: A Day to Forget
So, Australia—our beloved cricketing giants—have dropped the ball. Well, more like **dropped** the entire kit. They faced off against Pakistan at the Adelaide Oval and managed to serve up a glorious defeat that can only be described as a “howler” by one of the world’s top teams. Posting a paltry 163 runs has surely made them reconsider their life choices. Perhaps a few less BBQs and a few more net sessions might not hurt. And for those who think that’s bad news? Oh, it gets worse.
The Run Chase that Wasn’t
Pakistan’s openers, Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique, treated the chase like it was a stroll in the park, racking up runs at a rate that had the Australian fans shaking their heads in disbelief. With 82 runs and 64 not out respectively, they finished off Australia with 141 balls to spare. Yes, you heard it right—141 balls! At this rate, they could’ve hosted a BBQ during the match and still finished before dessert!
This isn’t just any loss; it’s the first time since 1992 that Australia has been so thoroughly trounced at home—all while dodging the ignominy of a 10-wicket defeat. But credit where it’s due: Adam Zampa did manage to break the 137-run opening stand before it morphed into something resembling a team picnic.
Cummins’ Post-Match Wisdom
Pat Cummins, in his astute captaincy, remarked, “It wasn’t one of our best days.” Oh really, Pat? I had put all my money on a *world-beating performance*! You know, I think on days like this, the team’s strategy starts looking a lot more like an episode of *Survivor*: “This week on Australia learns to bat…”
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Saim Ayub, with the confidence of a cat who just knocked over a vase, confidently claimed, “I know the pitch, I know the length.” Anyone else a little jealous? You know the team’s struggling when the opposition is casually adjacent to becoming psychic about the turf.
A Decline in Australian Cricket?
But let’s not forget that this isn’t just a one-off. This loss gives Pakistan a shot at winning the three-match series. While Cummins and several other star players sit out to prepare for the Border-Gavaskar trophy against India, it seems the young blood will have to step up. It’s like sending the kids to the store with only a few dollars—you really hope they don’t come home with an embarrassing level of junk food.
And as if to add insult to injury, wicketkeeper Josh Inglis managed to record a ‘catch’ that didn’t even make it onto the highlight reel. He ended up as the top scorer with just 35 runs to his name. Congratulations, Josh! That’s like being the best player on a losing foosball team.
The Stats Don’t Lie
Australia just fell into some illustrious company with this defeat. Historically, they now have a cozy spot in the record books among teams that have either lost or been embarrassed by more than nine wickets. The future of Australian cricket might need stronger sunglasses—because the glare from this defeat is going to be bright!
What Now?
Looking ahead, as Australia prepares for the big showdown against India, they need to take a long hard look in the mirror. It’s time for a change in tactics—perhaps channeling that frenetic energy from Lee Evans, or even getting Jimmy Carr in to crack a few jokes if it lightens the mood a bit! Because at this point, they’ve surely got a comedy of errors on their hands that would put even Ricky Gervais to shame.
So here’s to hoping for brighter days ahead for Australia—because if cricket wasn’t painful enough already, being on the receiving end of a nine-wicket thrashing is the cherry on top of a very embarrassing cake.
In a stunning turn of events at the Adelaide Oval, the reigning champions Australia faced a severe setback, suffering one of the most lopsided losses in their one-day international history at the hands of Pakistan.
After managing to put just 163 runs on the board, Australia found themselves severely punished by Pakistan’s formidable opening duo of Saim Ayub, who scored a brilliant 82, and Abdullah Shafique, remaining unbeaten with 64. The visitors surged to a nine-wicket victory in the second ODI with an astonishing 141 balls to spare. This defeat marks the first occasion since 1992 that Australia has lost a home ODI by nine wickets, narrowly escaping the potential embarrassment of being the first Australian team to be defeated by 10 wickets in a white-ball match at home, thanks only to Adam Zampa’s efforts that finally ended the 137-run opening partnership.
Reflecting on the disheartening performance, Australian captain Pat Cummins lamented, “It wasn’t one of our best days. You hope to post more than 160 [but] they bowled exceptionally well. We brought in some catchers and tried to be aggressive, but things just didn’t align.” On the other hand, Pakistan’s Ayub stated, “Having bowled here for the Melbourne Stars, I was familiar with the pitch conditions and lengths. My goal was to make crucial breakthroughs.”
This significant victory for Pakistan not only elevates their chances for clinching the three-match series but also sets up a challenging situation for Australia as Test stars including Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Steve Smith, and Marnus Labuschagne are set to miss Sunday’s decisive game in Perth. They have opted out to prepare for the high-stakes Border-Gavaskar trophy clashes against India. In their absence, wicketkeeper Josh Inglis will lead the Australian team for the first time, with Glenn Maxwell and Zampa the sole remnants from last year’s World Cup final to feature at Optus Stadium.
Pakistan achieved their first ODI victory over Australia at Adelaide since 1996, largely thanks to the exceptional performance of fast bowler Haris Rauf, who dismantled Australia’s middle order with precision. Rauf, a fan-favorite from his tenure with the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League since 2020, continued his impressive form from the MCG after Pakistan captain, Mohammad Rizwan, won the toss and elected to bowl.
Rauf’s performance reached new heights as he delivered a match-winning five-wicket haul, claiming critical scalps, including those of wicketkeeper Inglis, Labuschagne, Aaron Hardie, and Maxwell, sending Australia into a rapid decline from a promising 79 for two to a troubling 129 for seven. The fiery right-arm bowler also had the crucial wicket of Cummins, thereby extinguishing any hopes of Australia posting a competitive total, and finishing with the best ODI figures for a Pakistan bowler at the Adelaide Oval, earning admiration from legendary cricketer Wasim Akram in the commentary box.
The Australian team appeared poised for a lower total, having almost been bowled out for 147, but a reprieve came when Rizwan, the wicketkeeper, dropped a high ball from Zampa. Zampa managed a quickfire 18 runs, even playfully challenging Rizwan to use a review, teasing, “You blokes appeal for everything. You should consider taking [the review].” Smith ended the innings as Australia’s top scorer with a mere 35 runs, reflecting the team’s overall struggles at the crease.
Opener performances by Matt Short, who scored 19, and Jake Fraser-McGurk, with just 13, only amplified criticism targeting their aggressive batting style. Australian cricket legend Ian Healy had previously termed the pair “schoolyard bullies,” urging them to rein in their reckless approach. However, Fraser-McGurk remained resolute on Thursday, stating his commitment to continue batting aggressively regardless of the critiques.
With the Melbourne Stars, showcased his skills by picking up three key wickets, contributing significantly to Australia’s downfall. As the Australian batsmen faltered, Rauf’s pace and accuracy proved too much, leaving the hosts reeling and unable to mount any serious resistance.
### The Road Ahead
Looking to the future, Australia’s upcoming match against Pakistan in Perth poses significant challenges, especially in the absence of several senior players. With new faces stepping into pivotal roles, there’s an increased pressure to not only perform but to restore pride after such a disheartening defeat. Wicketkeeper Josh Inglis, stepping into a leadership role, will have the task of rallying the young squad. As the team attempts to bounce back, they will need to address the apparent gaps in their strategy and execution showcased in this match.
### Fans’ Reactions
As expected, the Australian cricketing community has expressed a range of emotions—ranging from disbelief to dismay. Fan forums are abuzz with discussions about possible changes in batting order and strategies moving forward. Questions regarding the coaching staff and player performance are being raised, leaving management under pressure to deliver solutions.
### Conclusion
In light of this overwhelming defeat, Australia needs to regroup quickly. The path to redemption starts with learning from grave mistakes, adapting to conditions, and forging a unified front. Cricket, as a sport, demands resilience, and the Australian side must embody this characteristic if they hope to salvage pride in the next match against a confident Pakistan team.
The world will be watching closely, and one thing is certain: the Australians will want to turn the page swiftly on this chapter, lest they find themselves on the brink of a significant downward spiral in a sport they once dominated. Here’s to hoping the next match brings a return to form for the beloved cricketing giants.