Ben McDermott’s maiden ODI century for Australia has proved in vain as captain Babar Azam masterminded Pakistan’s masterful record run chase in a thrilling six-wicket win in Lahore.
Pursuing Australia’s formidable total of 8-348 in Thursday’s second match of the series, Imam-ul-Haq cracked his second century in three days and Babar hammered a 73-ball ton to fashion Pakistan’s highest-ever successful ODI run pursuit.
Their dazzling efforts in Pakistan’s 4-352 levelled the series at 1-1 and put McDermott’s classy knock into the shade after he scored 104 off 108 balls.
But Pakistan, for whom Imam carved out 106 off 97 balls and Babar hammered 114 off 83, still needed another hero at the death as Khushdil Shah (27no off 17) smashed lusty blows off Nathan Ellis and Sean Abbott that ensured Pakistan got home on the last ball of the penultimate over.
The win topped Pakistan’s previous best run chase – 7-327 against Bangladesh in Mirpur eight years ago – but left only a “bittersweet” feeling for 27-year-old McDermott.
For his century at Gaddafi Stadium had come in a losing cause, 32 years after his dad Craig McDermott snared 5-44 at the same ground to inspire Australia to an 18-run victory over Pakistan.
“Very bittersweet. I thought our total was enough but not to be,” said McDermott.
“Really pleased with the way we batted, but we’ll come again in two days time,” he added, referring to Saturday’s decider.
“It would have been really nice to finish off with a win tonight but, obviously, it’s great to get a hundred – one of those milestones my father didn’t pass.”
Earlier, McDermott and Travis Head had tormented Pakistan for the second straight match.
McDermott had scored 55 in game one while Head, Tuesday’s centurion matchwinner, fell just short of posting consecutive centuries when he was dismissed for 89 off 70 balls.
Marnus Labuschagne (59 off 49 balls) and Marcus Stoinis (49 off 33 balls) also joined in on the fun to leave Australia feeling they were in the box seat, especially after the innings had started with skipper Aaron Finch missing a full toss first ball and getting trapped lbw by Shaheen Afridi (4-63).
McDermott, who got into a heated verbal exchange with the fired-up Afridi, took 12 balls to get off the mark, but unleashed after that to finish with 10 fours and four sixes, while Head cracked six fours and five sixes.
Their departures didn’t noticeably slow the run rate, with Labuschagne and Stoinis keeping the runs flowing.
But the Pakistan chase, McDermott conceded, was just much better paced than their slow-starting effort on Tuesday with Imam, who scored a ton in the first match, and Fakhar Zaman putting on 118 for the first wicket before the Babar show.
“We put up a good score, but Babar and Imam just batted beautifully tonight, you’ve just got to give credit where it’s due,” he shrugged.
None of the Australian bowlers really got to grips with the pair’s mastery, with even Adam Zampa being hammered for 71 while taking the crucial wickets of Imam and Mohammad Rizwan.
McDermott, Head and Labuschagne were considered fringe ODI players before the current series, but their form will help boost their chances of becoming regulars leading into the 2023 50-over World Cup.
Their performances further showcased Australia’s depth on a white-ball tour in which eight of their biggest players were absent.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
He rotated almost every ball. What a strange comment.
Tom
Green is absolutely not a good enough rotator of the strike yet to bat top 4 in ODI’s, he looks absolutely lost when he can’t get boundaries away
Chanon
Roar Rookie
I know we discussed a little in earlier posts but l would love to see him open with Head & Finch can pinch hit at 7
Jeff
Roar Rookie
I hope they give Green a better starting spot in the line up tonight.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
My gut tells me Maxwell but like you suggest he’s older but he could play till 38 & by then Green would be in his prime at 26 to take over :boxing:
Jeff
Roar Rookie
That I don’t know. Head has years of experience. I think Marsh has an all round understanding of the game. I wonder whether Maxwell is best left to focus on his unique individual talents? Also re Maxwell, perhaps time isn’t on his side at 33. Marsh 30 and Head 28.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Well hopefully he comes good been leapfrogged by Green in test but very capable as you suggest. Who would be a more astute captain, Head, Maxwell or Marsh?
Jeff
Roar Rookie
I think he will. He had some trying personal issues soon after taking on the vc, to the point he shouldn’t have actually been playing.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Yea true but as soon as they made him VC he lost his mojo. Of late he has been brilliant but has had a layoff hope he comes back soon.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Don’t forget he was previously Aus VC in Tests and white ball.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Maybe
Jeff
Roar Rookie
I reckon Marsh
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Jeff l wonder who will be the next captain of T20 & 50 over it has to be a player that is astute in the role of captaincy not sure the selectors will find another Finch, personally l feel the selectors may keep him on till WC because he is a brilliant captain but apart from that opinion my guess it is between Head & Maxwell to get the gong!
Chanon
Roar Rookie
I agree Jeff he had an opportunity around 16-17 to get an extended opportunity but to no avail. His ability as a opener in T20 & 50 over has been exemplary.His captaincy has been superb & l wonder why so many give him grief!
Jeff
Roar Rookie
I’d like to see Finch go out on top in white ball for Australia, rather than dragged down to the point of exclusion. He could have been something at Test level, but that was mismanaged and denied re his fair opportunity, so would like to see him go out near his peak in white ball.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Yeah, that’s actually a very astute point. Finch is there this series to provide some structure re all the other disruptions.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
To many of our star players missing be it injured need a rest or getting married has possibly prevented the selectors from acting on pushing Finch off the cliff.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
I wish Finch all the best. He’s been seriously amazing. But it seems like his time to give it up, has come. I just hope the selectors have the you-know-whats, to move things along, and start putting in place the new order.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Jeff, I’m afraid your correct hate to admit it.
bowledover
Roar Rookie
I think its OK if the other batsmen around him are going well. Ideally he would up his rate, but he has shown domestically he can get going, hoping he can demonstrate this at the higher level as well.