World champions Australia suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of Pakistan at the Adelaide Oval, enduring one of the heaviest losses in their ODI history. After managing just 163 runs, Australia were ruthlessly punished by Pakistan's openers Saim Ayub (82) and Abdullah Shafique (64 not out), who guided the tourists to a nine-wicket victory with 141 balls remaining. This marks the first time since 1992 that Australia has lost a home ODI by such a margin. They narrowly avoided becoming the first Australian team to lose a white-ball match at home by 10 wickets when Adam Zampa broke the 137-run opening partnership.

Pakistan's remarkable win puts them in a strong position to clinch the three-match series. Key Test players Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Steve Smith, and Marnus Labuschagne will sit out the deciding game in Perth on Sunday to prepare for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India. Wicketkeeper Josh Inglis, who will captain Australia in Cummins' absence, along with Glenn Maxwell and Zampa, will be the only players from last year's World Cup final to feature at Optus Stadium.

Pakistan's first ODI victory against Australia at Adelaide since 1996 was masterminded by fast bowler Haris Rauf, who decimated the Australian middle-order. Rauf, a familiar face in the Big Bash League for the Melbourne Stars since 2020, continued his impressive form from the MCG, where Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan chose to bowl after winning the toss. The 31-year-old's three wickets in the previous match set the stage for a potential upset, but it was his five-wicket haul in Adelaide that truly turned the tide, dismissing key batsmen and reducing Australia from 79 for two to 129 for seven.

Rauf's fiery spell also accounted for Cummins, effectively ending any hope Australia had of posting a competitive total. His performance, which yielded the best ODI figures by a Pakistani bowler at the Adelaide Oval, even impressed the legendary Wasim Akram in the commentary box. Australia narrowly avoided being all out for 147 when wicketkeeper Rizwan dropped a catch off Zampa, who then scored a quick-fire 18, taunting Rizwan into an unsuccessful review.

Smith's 35 runs were the highest for Australia, but the innings ended in the 35th over. Openers Matt Short (19) and Jake Fraser-McGurk (13) failed to silence critics of their aggressive batting style, with Australian great Ian Healy labeling them 'schoolyard bullies' and urging them to temper their approach. Despite this, Fraser-McGurk remains committed to his batting style.

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