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Babar Azam dethrones Shubman Gill to reclaim top ODI spot

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Pakistan’s top batsman and former skipper Babar Azam has once again clinched the number one position in the ICC ODI rankings for batsmen, dethroning India’s Shubman Gill.

As per the ICC ranking, Babar has 824 points, 14 more than the Indian opener’s 810. Interestingly, the third and fourth spots of the list are also occupied by Indian batsmen, Virat Kohli, 775, and Rohit Sharma, 754, respectively.

Babar Azam climbed the top slot after more than a month of Gill’s rule and after the latter was rested for the ongoing Proteas series.

On the other hand, England leg-spinner Adil Rashid has ascended two spots to grab the top post from Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan (now second) and India’s Ravi Bishnoi (third) on the T20I rankings for bowlers.

Rashid is the second player from England to bag the No 1 ranking of T20I bowlers after off-spinner Graeme Swann held the top spot more than a decade ago.

After scoring a quick century in the final match of India’s series against South Africa, Suryakumar Yadav extended his lead by 100 rating points in T20I. His nearest competitors are Mohammad Rizwan of Pakistan (2nd) and Aiden Markram (3rd) of South Africa.

After his performance against Pakistan lately, Australia’s Usman Khawaja has moved up three places to fourth spot in the Test and within striking reach of the top-ranked Kane Williamson.

Khawaja’s teammate David Warner has also jumped nine spots to 27th and Mitchell Marsh improved 12 places to equal 68th after a good performance against Pakistan.

In the Test bowler’s rankings, Australia’s captain Pat Cummins is up one place to third, Nathan Lyon jumped three spots to fifth, Mitchell Starc rose two places to eighth and Josh Hazlewood has climbed two spots to 10th as India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin continues to hold sway at the top.

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Derailment in Adelaide caused by Rauf and Shaheen

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Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan won the toss and chose to field first in the pivotal second ODI against Australia at Adelaide Oval. The visitors confront a critical must-win scenario after being behind 0-1 in the three-match series.

Pakistan: (2 overs, 50 balls, Target: 164) 10 divided by 0

Australia: (35 overs, 50 overs) 163 runs

Shaheen Shah Afridi dismissed Adam Zampa, culminating in a significant triumph for Pakistan by reducing Australia to their lowest-ever ODI total against them. Afridi’s last delivery dismissed Zampa for 18 runs, concluding Australia’s innings at 161 in 34.6 overs.
Pakistan’s fast bowlers excelled, with Haris Rauf taking four wickets, while Naseem Shah and Afridi each secured two. Zampa, after exhibiting resilience with two boundaries and a six, succumbed to Afridi’s precise bowling. Naseem’s intense bowling performance featured a series of near misses, including a missed catch by wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan, which almost established a world record for the most dismissals by a keeper in an ODI.

Pakistan’s unyielding pace attack constrained Australia, resulting in a record low score and a momentous victory for Pakistan in Adelaide.

The pace attack of Pakistan, spearheaded by Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah, disassembled Australia’s batting order in a commanding performance at Adelaide. Rauf excelled, taking four wickets for only 27 runs in six overs, while Naseem offered vital assistance by removing Mitchell Starc for his inaugural wicket of the match.

By the 29th over, Australia had deteriorated to 131/8, as Pakistani bowlers adeptly capitalized on the conditions with precision and energy. As wickets fell consistently, highlighted by five catches from Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan’s bowlers maintained intense pressure, causing Australia to struggle to endure till the conclusion of the innings.

The Pakistan squad retains their prior lineup, demonstrating faith in the team after their initial defeat. Australia enhances their bowling lineup by substituting seasoned bowler Josh Hazlewood for Sean Abbott.

The Australian batting lineup will depend on the powerful opening duo of Matthew Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk, succeeded by the robust middle order including Steven Smith and Glenn Maxwell. Pat Cummins directs the home team’s bowling contingent, aided by Mitchell Starc and spin expert Adam Zampa.

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A significant boost is given to Pakistan before their second ODI match against Australia.

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The speed bowler Naseem Shah’s injury recovery gave Pakistan a big boost ahead of the second ODI against Australia, which is set to take place here on November 8.

In Melbourne during the first ODI against Australia, Naseem had to leave the field after cramping two balls into his eighth over.

Although his health for the second ODI was questioned, the right-arm bowler and the rest of the team nonetheless showed up for the training session at the Adelaide Oval.

He is in good physical shape and has fully healed, according to the reports, thus he is prepared and qualified to be selected for the second ODI.

At the storied Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Pakistan had a strong showing with the ball but lost the opening ODI by two wickets.

On the other hand, Naseem Shah received recognition for his performance throughout the game, as he took out Australian opening batsman Jake Fraser-McGurk and played a vital innings of 40 runs.

On November 10, after the second ODI, Perth will host the third ODI. A three-match T20I series will follow the ODI series, with play starting on November 14.

The inaugural T20I will be held in Brisbane, and the subsequent games are set for November 16 and 18 in Sydney and Hobart, respectively.

Josh Inglis, the wicketkeeper, will captain Australia for the first time. He will lead the team in the upcoming T20I series and the third ODI match against Pakistan.

Australia vs. Pakistan ODI Series squad
Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (wk), Kamran Ghulam, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha (vc), Mohammad Hasnain, and Shaheen Shah Afridi were among the people that worked.

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The PCB chief discusses Pakistan’s performance in the opening ODI against Australia.

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Pakistan’s batting lineup was dismissed for a pitiful 203 runs at the storied Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) after being asked to bat first. But as they struggled to defend the low mark, the bowlers kept Pakistan in the game.

Because of Haris Rauf and Shaheen Shah Afridi’s outstanding speed bowling, the hosts fell from 113-2 to 155-7.

Nevertheless, Australian captain Pat Cummins remained composed and led his team to an exciting two-wicket triumph with an undefeated 32-run innings.

The Pakistani players’ courageous performance in spite of the loss was commended by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.

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He praised the performance on his official X (formerly Twitter) account and expressed his desire that the team will win the series outright.

“Good job, Pakistani team! You put up a great fight against Australia! You guys did everything you could to fight as best you could. Even in this first game, we know you will make us proud. Never give up,” Naqvi wrote.

Notably, the third ODI of the series will be held in Perth on November 10th, while the second match will take place in Adelaide on November 8th.

A three-match T20I series will follow the ODI series, with play starting on November 14.

The inaugural T20I will be held in Brisbane, and the subsequent games are set for November 16 and 18 in Sydney and Hobart, respectively.

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