November 8, 2024: In the second ODI against Pakistan, the Australian cricket team endured a tough defeat, with captain Pat Cummins acknowledging the team’s underperformance in the aftermath of the game. Australia was bowled out for just 163 runs, a total far below par, and Pakistan cruised to a nine-wicket victory, leveling the series 1-1.
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“It wasn’t one of our best days,” Cummins admitted candidly in his post-match analysis. Reflecting on the team’s batting performance, he added, “They bowled well, but we should have done better and scored more than 160.” Cummins noted the challenging pitch conditions at Adelaide Oval, pointing out the seam movement that played a part in Australia’s downfall. Despite efforts to attack, including using close-in fielders, the team could not break the pattern of their batting collapse.
On a more positive note, Cummins expressed confidence in Josh Inglis, who had struggled with the bat in the previous game. “I’ll leave it to him; he has some experience. So let him be himself,” said Cummins, showing trust in Inglis’s abilities and giving him the space to recover and contribute positively in the future.
Looking ahead to the challenges of the upcoming Test series against India, Cummins shifted his focus to the future. “We’ve got a week at home. Good training sessions are needed; our minds now shift to the red ball,” he remarked, emphasizing the importance of preparation and mental readiness for the much-anticipated Test series against India. Australia’s preparation for the Tests will be critical as they look to regroup and bounce back from their ODI series setback.
The second ODI also witnessed a standout performance from Pakistan’s seamer Haris Rauf, who claimed five wickets, and a solid knock from Saim Ayub, whose quickfire innings guided Pakistan to a dominant win. This victory was historic for Pakistan, as it marked their first win against Australia at Adelaide Oval since 1996.
With the series now level at 1-1, the third and final ODI on Sunday will serve as the decider, with both teams hoping to finish on a high.