Match: 2nd ODI | Australia Tour of Pakistan 2026
Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Date: June 2, 2026
Result: Australia won by 41 runs | Series levelled 1-1
The Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore witnessed an absorbing contest on Tuesday night as Australia bounced back brilliantly to defeat Pakistan by 41 runs in the 2nd ODI of the three-match series.
After going down in the first game, the Aussies showed tremendous character, levelling the series at 1-1 and setting up what promises to be a blockbuster decider. Shadab Khan’s fighting 71 gave the home fans some hope, but Nathan Ellis’s four-wicket haul ultimately sealed a hard-fought win for the visitors.
Pakistan vs Australia Match Summary
Pakistan won the toss and elected to bowl first a decision that initially looked shrewd as Shaheen Shah Afridi sent Alex Carey packing on the very first ball of the match. However, Australia recovered through meaningful contributions from Josh Inglis, Cameron Green, Matt Renshaw, and Oliver Peake to post 231/9 in 50 overs.
In reply, Pakistan’s top order crumbled under great pressure from Australia’s disciplined bowling attack. At 75/5 after 16 overs, the chase looked all but over. Shadab Khan fought bravely with an attacking 71 off 104 balls, but the required run rate kept climbing.
Pakistan were eventually bowled out for 190 in 44 overs, falling 41 runs short of their target.The australian players also participate in top 15 richest leagues in the world.
Australia Innings: Key Performances and Turning Points
Australia’s innings was a story of resilience after a horror start. Shaheen Afridi, bowling with pace and swing, castled opener Alex Carey on the first delivery of the match a dramatic moment that set the tone for Pakistan’s aggressive bowling strategy.
But Josh Inglis, the stand-in captain, walked out at No. 3 and anchored the innings with a composed 51 off 74 balls. His partnership with Cameron Green was the backbone of Australia’s total.
Green contributed a vital 53, gradually building pressure on Pakistan’s spinners who had been brought into the attack early.
Matt Renshaw chipped in with 43, providing stability in the middle overs. The real impetus, though, came from Oliver Peake, who blazed 31 in the death overs to push Australia past the 230-run mark.Pakistani and Australian cricket board occupy top position in top 13 richest board in the wolrd.
Pakistan’s spinners Arafat Minhas and Abrar Ahmed broke through in the middle phase and caused a collapse from 3/76 to 5/90-odd, but Australia’s lower order refused to fold.
Australia Innings Highlights
| Batter | Runs | Balls | Key Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Josh Inglis (c/wk) | 51 | 74 | Anchored innings after early wickets |
| Cameron Green | 53 | ~85 | Middle-order backbone |
| Matt Renshaw | 43 | — | Steady partnership builder |
| Oliver Peake | 31 | — | Explosive death-over hitting |
| Alex Carey | 0 | 1 | Bowled first ball by Shaheen |
Final Score: Australia 231/9 in 50 overs
For Pakistan with the ball, Shaheen Afridi was the standout performer taking three wickets and making history by becoming only the third Pakistan bowler after Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis to dismiss an opener on the very first ball of an ODI innings.Pakistani players also show their talent in Big Bash League.
Pakistan Batting Collapse: What Went Wrong?
Pakistan’s chase started brightly with wicketkeeper-batter Ghazi Ghori hitting some crisp boundaries, but wickets fell in clusters at critical junctures. By the drinks break at the 16th over, Pakistan were reeling at 75/5 a position from which very few sides recover in ODI cricket.
The home side’s problems were multiple:
- Top-order fragility: Sahibzada Farhan, Maaz Sadaqat, and Babar Azam failed to convert starts on a slow, low surface that demanded patience.
- Spin struggles: Australia’s spinners Tanveer Sangha, Matthew Kuhnemann, and Adam Zampa exploited the pitch conditions expertly, applying dot-ball pressure that forced errors.
- Dropped catch: Oliver Peake dropped Arafat Minhas on 24, which could have changed the match’s momentum, but Nathan Ellis eventually removed him for 33.
- Late collapse: With Shadab and Arafat building a 59-run partnership for the seventh wicket, Pakistan were still in the contest but could not find a finisher when it mattered most.
Pakistan captain Shaheen Afridi acknowledged his side gave away momentum: “I think we gave away 20–30 extra runs towards the end. We lost wickets early on and that built pressure on us.”
Top Performers of the Pakistan vs Australia Match
Star of the Match Nathan Ellis (Australia)
Nathan Ellis was the undisputed hero with the ball, returning career-defining figures of 4/33 in nine overs. He varied his lengths cleverly on a surface that demanded adaptability, generating nip off the pitch and denying Pakistan’s lower order any room to free their arms. His ball to bowl out Haris Rauf a sharp inswinger that crashed into the stumps was the delivery of the match.
Shadab Khan (Pakistan)
In a losing cause, Shadab Khan played the innings of his comeback 71 off 104 balls with three sixes and a four. Returning to ODI cricket after nearly three years, Shadab showed he still has the quality to battle at the highest level. He was eventually stumped off Tanveer Sangha as Pakistan fell short.
Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan)
Shaheen led from the front with ball in hand, taking three wickets and becoming only the third Pakistan bowler in history to dismiss a batter on the very first delivery of an ODI match joining the legendary Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis in that elite list.
Australia’s Bowling Attack Dominates Pakistan
Australia’s bowling unit operated with exceptional discipline on a Lahore pitch that offered more assistance than usual. The key to their success was the combination of seam and spin working in tandem.
- Nathan Ellis: 4/33 in 9 overs Player of the Match
- Matthew Short: 3 wickets vital breakthroughs with part-time spin
- Matthew Kuhnemann: 1 wicket
- Adam Zampa: 1 wicket (removed Ghazi Ghori for 37)
- Tanveer Sangha: 1 wicket (stumped Shadab Khan to end the contest)
Ellis, speaking after the match, summed up Australia’s bowling philosophy: “It’s not that long with the new ball, so you try and maximize the swing for as long as you can, then you get into your work. The big strength of this group is the willingness to be flexible and to adapt.”
The visitors’ fielding was also sharp throughout, with very few misfields save for Peake’s dropped catch keeping the required run rate climbing steadily through Pakistan’s innings.
Match Scorecard: Pakistan vs Australia Full Results
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Match | 2nd ODI, Australia Tour of Pakistan 2026 |
| Venue | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| Date | June 2, 2026 |
| Toss | Pakistan won, chose to field |
| Australia Score | 231/9 in 50 overs |
| Pakistan Score | 190 all out in 44 overs |
| Result | Australia won by 41 runs |
| Player of the Match | Nathan Ellis (4/33) |
| Cricinfo MVP | Nathan Ellis (152.1 impact points) |
| Series Status | Levelled 1-1 |
Australia Playing XI: Alex Carey, Matthew Short, Josh Inglis (wk/c), Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Matt Renshaw, Oliver Peake, Nathan Ellis, Tanveer Sangha, Matthew Kuhnemann, Adam Zampa
Pakistan Playing XI: Sahibzada Farhan, Maaz Sadaqat, Babar Azam, Ghazi Ghori (wk), Arafat Minhas, Salman Agha, Abdul Samad, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi (c), Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed
Key Moments That Changed the Game
1. Carey’s Golden Duck (Over 1, Ball 1) Shaheen Afridi’s first delivery of the match an outswinger that shaped away and clipped the inside edge sent Alex Carey’s stumps flying. It set the tone for an enthralling evening and handed Pakistan an early psychological edge.
2. Inglis–Green Partnership After Australia’s middle-order wobble against spin, Josh Inglis and Cameron Green stitched together a match-defining partnership that dragged the Aussies from 76/3 to competitive territory. This was the innings that gave Australia something to bowl at.
3. Pakistan’s Collapse to 75/5 (Over 16) Five wickets inside the first 16 overs effectively decided the contest. Babar Azam, the experienced hand expected to stabilise the innings, departed early without impact and that proved to be the crushing blow.
4. Ellis Breaks the Shadab–Arafat Partnership (Over 41) With Shadab and Arafat Minhas having rebuilt cautiously and brought Pakistan within touching distance of hope, Ellis stepped up to trap Arafat LBW for 33, ending a 59-run seventh-wicket stand. From that point, the match was over.
5. Shadab’s Stumping (Over 44.1) The final curtain fell when Tanveer Sangha enticed Shadab down the track and Josh Inglis whipped off the bails with sharp glove-work. Pakistan were 190 all out 41 short of Australia’s total.
Player of the Match and Match Awards
Player of the Match: Nathan Ellis (Australia) Figures: 4/33 in 9 overs
Ellis was the decisive force with the ball, breaking crucial partnerships and removing Pakistan’s lower order with clinical precision. His willingness to adapt his line and length to the conditions bowling fuller and targeting the stumps made him practically unplayable in his final spells.
Cricinfo’s Most Valuable Player: Nathan Ellis 152.1 impact points
Top Scorer Pakistan: Shadab Khan 71 off 104 balls (1×4, 3×6)
Top Scorer Australia: Cameron Green 53; Josh Inglis 51
Pakistan vs Australia Head-to-Head Record Update
Pakistan and Australia have a long and intense ODI rivalry dating back decades. This series continues a competitive chapter in their recent encounters.
| Stat | Detail |
|---|---|
| All-time ODI head-to-head | Australia lead |
| Recent series (2026) | 1-1 after 2 matches |
| 1st ODI result | Pakistan won by 5 wickets |
| 2nd ODI result | Australia won by 41 runs |
| 3rd ODI | Decider — series on the line |
| Venue (all three ODIs) | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
Notably, Pakistan won the preceding T20I series 3-0 on the same tour, sweeping Australia in emphatic fashion. The ODI series, however, has been far more competitive with the Aussies showing they’ve made tactical adjustments after that T20 whitewash.
What’s Next for Pakistan and Australia?
With the three-match ODI series perfectly poised at 1-1, the decider promises to be a cracker. Both teams will be analysing their performances closely before the third and final ODI at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
For Pakistan: The top order needs to fire. Babar Azam has been quiet in this series, and Pakistan will need their premier batter at his best. The management must also reconsider the bowling balance while Shaheen’s pace has been effective, the middle overs spin attack needs more control.
For Australia: The Aussies will look to seal their first ODI series win in Pakistan in years. Their bowlers have been exceptional across both games, and another disciplined performance particularly from Ellis and the spin trio could hand them a memorable series win away from home.
Whoever wins the decider will take home the series and with both camps hungry, expect another riveting 100-over contest under the Lahore lights.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who won the Pakistan vs Australia 2nd ODI?
Australia won the 2nd ODI by 41 runs at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on June 2, 2026, levelling the three-match series at 1-1.
Who was the Player of the Match in the PAK vs AUS 2nd ODI?
Nathan Ellis was named Player of the Match for his outstanding bowling figures of 4/33 in nine overs.
What was Australia’s total in the 2nd ODI against Pakistan?
Australia posted 231/9 in 50 overs, with half-centuries from Josh Inglis (51) and Cameron Green (53).
How many runs did Shadab Khan score in the 2nd ODI?
Shadab Khan top-scored for Pakistan with a fighting 71 off 104 balls, hitting three sixes and one four, but his effort went in vain.
Who took 3 wickets for Pakistan in the 2nd ODI?
Captain Shaheen Shah Afridi took three wickets for Pakistan and also made history as only the third Pakistani bowler to dismiss an opener on the first ball of an ODI, joining Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis.
What is the current series score between Pakistan and Australia in 2026?
The series is level at 1-1 after two matches. Pakistan won the first ODI while Australia levelled with a 41-run win in the second.
Where was the Pakistan vs Australia 2nd ODI played?
The match was played at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Pakistan.
When is the 3rd and deciding ODI between Pakistan and Australia?
The series decider 3rd ODI is scheduled to be played at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. Check the official PCB website for confirmed timings.
Stay tuned for live updates, match previews, and full scorecards from the Pakistan vs Australia ODI series 2026.