Babar, Imam star as Pakistan create history against Australia

 

LAHORE, APR 1: Captain Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq hit tons as Pakistan chased their record ODI score at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

 

Chasing a mammoth 349-run target, the Men-in-Green were comfortably over the line with six wickets in hand.

 

The platform was set by openers Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq, who provided a brilliant 118-run stand. They scored just over run a ball to keep the required run-rate within reach.

 

Their innings was a clear indication that Pakistan learned from their mistakes, which they made in the first ODI earlier this week.

 

After smashing seven boundaries and two sixes for his 67 off 64 balls, Fakhar walked back to the dugout after being undone by a beautiful delivery from Marcus Stoinis.

 

However, it didn’t stop Imam-ul-Haq, who was joined by Babar at the crease, to score his second ton of the three-match series on Thursday.

 

He became the first Pakistan batter to score a back-to-back century against Australia. The left-hander played some classical shots in his 106-run innings facing only 97 deliveries. Imam struck six fours and three maximums.

 

The pair made a 111-run stand for the second wicket of just 92 deliveries.

 

The Pakistan captain played a crucial role in Pakistan’s record-shattering win. The prolific runs getter looked in a sublime touch from the first ball he faced under the floodlights.

 

He answered the critics once again with his scintillating batting, as he scored a record-breaking century at his home ground. He scored 114 off 83 deliveries at an impressive strike-rate of 139.02.

 

Babar struck 11 boundaries and a six for his 15 ODI ton. He became the quickest ever to reach 15 ODI hundreds (83 innings) three less than South Africa legend Hashim Amla (86 innings).

 

He was dismissed by Nathan Ellis.

 

Mohammad Rizwan played a cameo off 23, while the finishing touches were provided by Khushdil Shah (27 not out) and Iftikhar Ahmed (11 not out).  Pakistan crossed the winning line in 49 overs.

 

For Australia, Adam Zampa claimed two wickets while Ellis and Stoinis picked up a wicket each for the winnings side.

 

Earlier, Top-order batter Ben McDermott and opener Travis Head starred as Australia set a mammoth 349-run target after being asked to bat by Babar Azam.

 

The duo made a brilliant 162-run stand for the second wicket after Australia captain Aaron Finch was removed on a golden duck by Shaheen Shah Afridi in his first over at the Gaddafi Stadium.

 

Head continued his brilliant form with the bat in the top order as he scored a quick 89 off just 70 deliveries. The left-hander smashed six boundaries and five maximums.

 

Meanwhile, McDermott, who scored his maiden ODI half-century against in the first ODI at the same venue, continued to impress with the bat as he went on to score his maiden ton.

 

The right-hander walked back to the dugout after scoring 104 off 108 balls with the help of 10 boundaries and four maximums.

 

Marnus Labuschagne (59 off 49) also went on to score his fourth ODI half-century. He was removed by Khushdil Shah.

 

Marcus Stoinis, who struggled with the bat in the first ODI, made good use of the opportunity as he went on to score 49 off 33 balls to guide Australia to 348/7 in their allotted 50 overs.

 

Shaheen Shah Afridi was the star of the show with the ball as he claimed figures of four for 63 in his 10 over spell. He was well supported by Mohammad Wasim Jr, who claimed two wickets for 56 runs.

 

The series is level at 1-1 with the decided is set to be played on April 2 at the same venue.

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Courtesy samaaenglish.tv

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