Ganesh Kendale
Pakistan opener Saim Ayub‘s six in Adelaide on Friday with a flick reminded of India’s white-ball legend Yuvraj Singh as the ball sailed over the fine-leg fence deep into the stands, leaving Australia pacer Mitchell Starc scratching his head in the second ODI.
Pakistan bowled out Australia for just 163, courtesy Haris Rauf’s fiery spell of 5 for 29, and then raced to victory in 26.3 overs after opener Ayub (82 off 71 balls) and Abdullah Shafique (64 not out off 69) stitched an opening partnership of 137 runs to ensure a nine-wicket win.
The victory for the visitors levelled the three-match series at 1-1, with the decider to be played in Perth on Sunday.
WATCH AYUB’S SIX
Among the 6 sixes that flew off Ayub’s bat, the one that came in the 12th over broke the internet.
The Pakistan opener gauged the length ball quickly and shuffled across to flick Starc over the fine-leg fence, timing the shot like a dream. The flair, flamboyance and the follow-through reminded of Yuvraj.
Ayub was unfortunate to miss out on a century in only the second ODI of his promising career, as leg-spinner Adam Zampa ended the big opening stand.
Babar Azam (15 not out) and Shafique did the rest to sail across the finish line.
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