Australia beat Pakistan by 41 runs to level ODI series 1-1

Australia defeated Pakistan by 41 runs in the second ODI at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on Tuesday, levelling the three-match series at 1-1, 24NewsHD TV reported.  

Chasing 232 for victory, Pakistan struggled to build substantial partnerships and were bowled out for 190 in 44 overs.

Shadab Khan offered the strongest resistance with an unbeaten 71, but his effort proved insufficient to prevent defeat.

Ghazi Ghori scored 37, while Arafat Minhas contributed 33 runs, with no other batter able to make a significant impact.

Australia's bowling attack was led by Nathan Ellis, who claimed four wickets, while Matthew Short picked up three to dismantle Pakistan's batting line-up.

Earlier, after winning the toss, Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi elected to field first, a decision that paid early dividends as the home side kept Australia's batting line-up under pressure throughout the innings.

Australia's resistance was led by Cameron Green, who top-scored with 53 runs, while Josh Inglis contributed 51 and Matt Renshaw added 43 to help the visitors reach a competitive total.

Pakistan's bowlers shared the wickets, with Shaheen Afridi leading the attack by claiming three wickets.

Haris Rauf, Arafat Minhas and Abrar Ahmed chipped in with two wickets each to restrict Australia from accelerating in the latter stages of the innings.

The result erased Pakistan's early advantage in the series after the hosts had secured a five-wicket victory in the opening ODI.

With the series now tied at 1-1, the third and final match will decide the winner of the three-match contest on Thursday.

Pakistan fielded the same playing XI that secured victory in the opening match of the series.

TEAMS

Pakistan 1 Sahibzada Farhan, 2 Maaz Sadaqat, 3 Babar Azam, 4 Ghazi Ghori (wk), 5 Salman Ali Agha, 6 Abdul Samad, 7 Shadab Khan, 8 Arafat Minhas, 9 Shaheen Shah Afridi (capt), 10 Haris Rauf, 11 Abrar Ahmed

Australia 1 Matt Short, 2 Alex Carey, 3 Josh Inglis, 4 Matt Renshaw, 5 Cameron Green, 6 Marnus Labuschagne, 7 Oli Peake, 8 Nathan Ellis, 9 Matt Kuhnemann, 10 Adam Zampa, 11 Tanveer Sangha