Australia fast bowler Nathan Ellis delivered a moment that could change the course of the second ODI against Pakistan at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. His brilliant delivery saw the dismissal of Babar Azam, one of Pakistan’s most experienced batsmen, and marked a turning point in the game.
Pakistan was already under pressure after losing several early wickets while chasing a target of 203. The home team needed a senior player to step up, and Babar Azam seemed ready to take charge. Initially, he played well, hitting two boundaries in a short spell and showing confidence against both pace and spin. It looked like he was rebuilding the innings after the early setbacks.
However, Ellis changed the momentum with a clever delivery. Bowling from over the wicket, he rolled his fingers over the ball and produced a subtle cutter. After pitching, the ball moved sharply back into Babar, almost as if it were a spinner doing its own work. Babar attempted to play across the line, but the ball slipped past the inside edge and hit him on the pads. The Australian players immediately appealed, and the umpire raised his finger.
Although Babar suspected there might have been a nick, he opted for a review. The ball-tracking technology confirmed the umpire’s decision, along with the ball hitting the stumps. As a result, the field decision stood, and Babar was out.
This dismissal was crucial for Pakistan, as it saw the exit of their most experienced batsman, who had scored just 16 runs off 16 balls. Ellis celebrated with his teammates, as Australia now had control of the game.
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Australia Gain Control Over The Game
Babar’s dismissal added more pressure on Pakistan, especially after they had already lost several key players earlier in the innings. The early dismissal of Maaz Sadaqat by Nathan Ellis was also significant, as his wicket proved to be more impactful than others. Babar was their main batsman, and his exit created a lot of problems for the team.
All of Australia’s bowlers performed well during the match. Kuhnemann removed Sahibzada Farhan, while Matthew Short took two vital wickets – Salman Agha and Abdul Samad. Combined with disciplined bowling and effective fielding, scoring runs became difficult for Pakistan. Each wicket added to the pressure, making it hard for the home side to form partnerships.
Brief Scorecard
Pakistan were 66 for 5 after 14.4 overs while chasing 203. Ghazi Ghori remained unbeaten on 32 from 42 balls, and Shadab Khan was on 4. Babar Azam scored 16, Salman Agha 7, Sahibzada Farhan 3, Abdul Samad 2, and Maaz Sadaqat was dismissed for a duck.
For Australia, Nathan Ellis was the standout performer, taking 2 wickets for 22 runs in four overs. Matthew Short also took 2 wickets, and Matthew Kuhnemann claimed one. After Babar’s crucial dismissal, Australia maintained their dominance and never let go of the advantage.
