Imam and Babar orchestrate Pakistan’s greatest one-day international run chase to overcome Australia.
LAHORE, – Pakistan responded with fury, defeating Australia by six wickets to square the three-match ODI series at the Gaddafi Stadium.
Imam-ul-Haq hit his second straight century in the series, becoming the first Pakistan batsman to do so against Australia, while world No. 1 Babar reached three figures for the 15th time in 50-over cricket as Pakistan stormed to the 349-run goal with six balls remaining.
Eight years ago, Pakistan struck 329 to win by three wickets with one ball remaining at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in Mirpur. Pakistan’s second notable successful run chase was in November 2007 against India at Mohali, when they scored 322 to win by four wickets with one ball left.
This was Pakistan’s fifth-highest aggregate of matches. They earlier played in 734-run, 719-run, and 717-run thrillers (all against England in England) and 709-run thrillers (against Zimbabwe in Lahore). This was the 25th highest match aggregate in the 4380 One-Day Internationals played to date.
Pakistan returned to No. 6 in the ICC One-Day International Team Rankings with the victory, while the ten win points moved them up to eighth in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League.
Imam made 106 runs off 97 balls, including six punishing fours and three soaring sixes, while Babar made 114 runs off 83 balls, with 11 deft fours and a big six.
Imam added 118 runs from 113 balls for the first wicket with Fakhar Zaman, who produced an excellent 64-ball 67 with seven fours and two sixes, then 111 runs from 92 balls with Babar.
Following Imam’s dismissal, Babar kept the accelerator pressed as he added 80 runs for the third wicket in 61 balls with Mohammad Rizwan, who hit a 26-ball 23.
When Imam fell, Pakistan needed 120 runs off 15.5 overs, while Babar’s magnificent effort required 40 runs off 34 balls. When Rizwan was killed, Pakistan need 32 runs in 25 balls, which was eventually reduced to 27 runs in 18 balls.
Nonetheless, Khushdil Shah (27 off 17 balls with two fours and two sixes) maintained his composure and ensured there were no additional miscues by completing the needed runs in 19 balls. With eight off seven balls, Iftikhar Ahmed was the other hitter who was not out.
Imam and Babar, the local guys, battled each other stroke for stroke as they set Australia on a leather chase, providing non-stop entertainment for the crowd of over 20,000.
While Imam achieved 50 off 50 balls with two fours and two sixes, Babar got 50 off 42 balls with three fours and a six. Imam scored his century off 90 balls with six fours and three sixes, while Babar did it off 73 balls with ten fours and a six.
Batting for the second time in a row, Babar Azam put Australia into bats for the second time in a row. Shaheen Shah Afridi took Aaron Finch for a golden duck, but the decision seemed to backfire as the visitors raced to 200 for two in 29.1 overs with a total of around 400 in their sights.
Pakistan’s bowlers, on the other hand, came back well, giving up 148 runs in the last 20.5 overs to keep Australia at 348 for eight.
Shaheen Shah Afridi ended with four wickets for 63 runs, while Mohammad Wasim claimed two wickets for 56 runs.
Ben McDermott had a memorable day as he reached his first century in the fourth round with a 108-ball 104 that featured ten fours and four sixes.
Travis Head followed up his 101 on Tuesday with a 70-ball 89 that included six fours and five sixes, while Labuschagne hit 59 off 49 balls with five fours and Marcus Stoinis hit 33 balls with five fours and a six.
Australia’s last 48 runs came in 29 balls, courtesy of Sean Abbott’s 28 off 16 balls with four fours.
Australia’s highest-scoring partnership was for the second wicket when Head and McDermott added 162 runs off 144 balls. For the third wicket, McDermott and Labuschagne added 74 runs off 63 balls for the third wicket, while Stoinis and Abbott added 42 runs off 23 balls for the seventh wicket.
