Nathan Ellis produced the best bowling figures of his ODI career as Australia beat Pakistan by 41 runs in the second one day international in Lahore on Tuesday. The win helped Australia level the three match series 1-1.
Australia posted 231 for nine from their 50 overs after useful half centuries from Josh Inglis and Cameron Green. Pakistan were then bowled out for 190 in 44 overs.
Pakistan had won the first ODI by five wickets in Rawalpindi. The series will now be decided in the third and final match in Lahore on Thursday.
Australia arrived without several senior players, including captain Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood. Despite that, the visitors produced a strong all round performance.
Ellis led the attack with four wickets for 33 runs. He removed Maaz Sadaqat with the third ball of the innings before also dismissing Babar Azam for 16.
Pakistan struggled early and slipped to 78 for six. Shadab Khan tried to rescue the innings with a fighting knock of 71 from 104 balls. He hit three sixes and one four during his stay at the crease.
Shadab shared a 59 run stand with Arafat Minhas, who scored 33, and later added 31 runs with Shaheen Shah Afridi. However, Ellis broke the key partnership when he trapped Minhas leg before wicket.
Shadab was eventually the last batter out. He was stumped off a wide delivery from Tanveer Sangha as Australia completed the victory.
Matthew Short also impressed with the ball. The part time spinner claimed three wickets for 36 runs, his best figures in ODI cricket. Ghazi Ghori added 37 runs for Pakistan.
Earlier, Cameron Green and Josh Inglis helped Australia recover after a difficult start.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam chose to bowl first and his team struck immediately. Shaheen Shah Afridi dismissed Alex Carey with the opening ball of the match. Abrar Ahmed and Arafat Minhas then removed Matthew Short and Marnus Labuschagne as Australia slipped to 51 for three.
Green and Inglis steadied the innings with a 51 run partnership. Inglis scored 51 from 74 balls with five boundaries before Minhas bowled him in the 27th over.
Green continued to anchor the innings and made 53 from 92 balls. His knock included one four and two sixes. He also shared a valuable 65 run stand with Matthew Renshaw, who scored 43.
Oliver Peake added late momentum with a quick 31 from 32 balls, striking two sixes and a boundary.
Shaheen was Pakistan’s best bowler with figures of three for 36, while Minhas finished with two for 27 after another encouraging performance.
