Babar Azam ignored: Michael Vaughan picks Pakistan's new superstar after historic ODI win in Australia

Pakistan created history with a scintillating win in the second ODI of the series in Adelaide. With this victory, Pakistan won their first ODI match in Australia after a long gap of seven years. With this win, they have also levelled the three-match ODI series 1-1 with one more match to go.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan was thoroughly impressed with Pakistan's performance and lauded them for their brilliant effort. Vaughan was particularly impressed with the opener Saim Ayub, who scored a magnificent 82 off 71 balls, which included 5 fours and 6 sixes.

Also Read: Prasidh Krishna fumes at umpire as fresh 'ball controversy' rocks IND-A vs AUS-A 2nd unofficial Test

Pakistan create history in Adelaide

🚨 HISTORY AT ADELAIDE 🚨

- Pakistan wins the first ODI match in Australia after 7 years. pic.twitter.com/lkkeOBJVQQ

— 𝙎𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙞 (@CallMeSheri1) November 8, 2024

Pakistan's last ODI win in Australia came way back in 2017 when they defeated Australia by 6 wickets at Melbourne Cricket Ground. Mohammad Hafeez was Pakistan's captain back then while Babar Azam was a young boy emerging into international cricket.

Michael Vaughan hails Saim Ayub and Pakistan

Michael Vaughan, the England legend, was also impressed with Pakistan's outstanding performance in Adelaide. Vaughan took to social media and hailed the Men in Green for this performance.

Also, Vaughan lauded the young opener Saim Ayub for his brilliant knock during the run-chase. Ayub scored a quickfire 82 at the top and killed off the chase, leaving no room for Australia to return in the match.

"Wow .. now that’s a performance by Pakistan .. Saim Ayub looks like a seriously talented player who will be a huge success across all formats for many years to come," Vaughan posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Wow .. now that’s a performance by Pakistan .. Saim Ayub looks like a seriously talented player who will be a huge success across all formats for many years to come .. #AUSvPAK @FoxCricket

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) November 8, 2024

Pakistan's quicks shine in Adelaide

The win was set up by Pakistan's fast bowlers, who bowled exceedingly well to restrict Australia to 163 in their first innings. Australia's batters got starts but none of them capitalised on it.

Shaheen Afridi removed both the openers cheaply inside the powerplay. Afterwards, it was all about Haris Rauf whose raw pace was too much to handle for the Australian batters. Rauf dismantled Australia's middle order and picked up a well-deserved five-wicket haul

Apart from Marnus Labuschagne, every other batter in the top eight got starts and reached double figures. Steve Smith looked in imperious touch but was dismissed by Mohammad Hasnain for 35 off 48 balls. Smith was also the highest run-scorer for Australia in the innings.

Fast bowlers Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf picked up 8 wickets between them. Afridi finished with 3-26 in 8 overs while Rauf picked up 5-29. Hasnain and Naseem Shah picked up a wicket each.

In reply, Pakistan started brilliantly as the openers Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique put on 137 runs for the opening wicket. Ayub was the aggressor of the two as he smashed sixes for fun. He was dismissed by Zampa but it was too late by then. Shafique remained unbeaten on 64 off 69 balls in the end.