PAK vs AUS 2nd ODI Results

7:25 PM IST Going down to the wire - Right then, we are two games down in this three-match ODI series, and both Pakistan and Australia have won a game each. We now stay in Lahore for the 3rd and final ODI of this series. That game will be played on Thursday, June 3, and will begin at 11.30 am GMT. However, as usual, you can join us a lot sooner for the build-up. Cheers!

7:24 PM IST The skipper of Australia - Josh Inglis explains that the team focused heavily on their batting approach during a quick turnaround, leading to crucial partnerships and contributions across the entire lineup on a slow surface. Josh also notes that the squad aimed to remain patient and post a competitive total above 200. Inglis also playfully shifts the blame to his bowlers for a couple of failed DRS reviews. Inglis concludes by crediting Nathan Ellis for an outstanding performance, highlighting how the bowler's exceptional pace variations between 100 kph and 145 kph.

7:20 PM IST The captain of Pakistan - Shaheen Afridi believes his team conceded 20 to 30 extra runs in the final few overs, while an early loss of wickets shifted the pressure onto their batting lineup. Shaheen adds that the spin-friendly track makes batting difficult, but points out that the ball begins to come onto the bat more smoothly during the second innings. Afridi credits Ellis for finding immense success on this surface by consistently attacking the stumps.

7:18 PM IST POTM - Nathan Ellis is given the accolade for his match-winning figures of 4 for 33 in 9 overs. Nathan Ellis says that when you get the new ball and a wicket like this, you need to deliver for the team. On being asked about how difficult it is to become a sole pacer for a team, he replies that it's not something to be pressured about. He reckons that one of the important aspects of his team is being flexible and willing to try something better. On his bowling approach, Ellis says that he tried to bowl low and slow on this track. Also says that slower balls were working, so he was just sticking to the plan.

7:13 PM IST The Presentation ceremony...

7:12 PM IST Another low-scoring affair - We saw the pitch grip and stay low in Rawalpindi, and it was the same story in Lahore. The deck was dry and aided the spinners, but it was more consistent spin than just uneven turn and bounce like in Pindi. Shaheen Afridi had no hesitation in bowling first and he himself got the ball rolling by picking the wicket of Alex Carey on the very first ball of the game. It was then a tussle between the Pakistani spinners and the Aussie batters as Arafat Minhas yet again stood up and got a couple of wickets. A couple of half centuries from Josh Inglis and Cameron Green, along with a couple of solid knocks from Matt Renshaw and especially Oliver Peake at the death, got Australia to a really decent total of 231, given the nature of the surface. Like Minhas, Abrar Ahmed, and Haris Rauf also got a couple of wickets as Shaheen stood out with a three-fer for his side.