Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq smashed quick centuries on Thursday as Pakistan beat Australia by six wickets in the second ODI and level the three-match series (1-1).
Captain Babar played a scintillating knock of 114 (83) while Imam hit a 97-ball 106 as the hosts reached to 349/4 with an over to spare.
It was Pakistan’s first win over Australia since 2017 and also their highest successful run chase in ODI cricket.
Earlier, Australia posted an another imposing 348 for 8 after Pakistan won the toss and opted to field for the second time in a row. Number 3 batter Ben McDermott (104 off 108) registered his maiden ODI ton and formed the cornerstone of Australia’s total.
Travis Head (89) missed out on his second successive hundred while Marnus Labuschagne (59 off 49) and Marcus Stoinis (49 off 33) played cameos to set up another huge total for the Green Team after the Aussies defended 313/7 in the first ODI in Lahore on Tuesday, March 29.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Babar Azam .. #TheBest
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 31, 2022
Babar has skills, technique and jigar. The perfect mix when you are chasing a big total. @babarazam258 pic.twitter.com/jL0bgaEyM1
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) April 1, 2022
Well played @TheRealPCB. What a historic win against Australia.@FakharZamanLive & @ImamUlHaq12 set the tone & @babarazam258 & rest finish it on
in style….
Now all eyes on decider..#AUSvPAK— Dimuth Karunarathna (@IamDimuth) April 1, 2022
Another Day, Another great Knock💯 from the king himself #BabarAzam𓃵 👏🏼👏🏼#PAKvsAUS #Pakistan pic.twitter.com/9KPyGtEas8
— Saeed Ajmal (@REALsaeedajmal) March 31, 2022
Most hundreds by a Pakistani captain in ODIs #Cricket #BabarAzam𓃵 #PakvAus pic.twitter.com/XlS8jMg2k3
— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) March 31, 2022
This was the shot of the night!🔥 Very few can do this. 💫💫💫
Brilliance by @babarazam258 pic.twitter.com/fgW39TcNJp— Mike Haysman (@MikeHaysman) April 1, 2022
More runs for the captain in a winning effort.
Take a bow Babar Azam! 💯#PAKvAUS pic.twitter.com/o7PLDnMgkJ
— ICC (@ICC) March 31, 2022
Babar Azam has brought those days back when Virat Kohli use to chase down the high scoring targets. Gradually Babar Azam is checking all the points what Virat Kohli did years back to become a great batter of the era! Surely Babar Azam is becoming the best of all!👏👏 #PAKvAUS
— Arfa Feroz Zake (@ArfaSays_) March 31, 2022
One of the best knock of Babar Azam's ODI career – 100* from just 73 balls while chasing 349 runs against Australia – What a knock. pic.twitter.com/SQfpjpw6T2
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 31, 2022
Congratulations to Team Pakistan on highest successful run chase 😍👏🏼. @babarazam258 & @ImamUlHaq12 star performers of the game last night 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼. Best wishes for series decider 🤲🏼 Pakistan 🇵🇰 Zindabad
— Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) April 1, 2022
Babar’s innings was poetry. He came back to his own. Just brilliant @babarazam258 whenever he bats it’s like an art of the violinist- poetic frenzy. Spectacular innings in the context of the game. More to follow. 💪💪💪💪😁🕺
— Dr. Nauman Niaz (@DrNaumanNiaz) March 31, 2022
He might not be there to take Pakistan home but that was a glorious innings from Babar Azam. I’d say it was worth flying half way arson’s the world to watch but I’m afraid it might land me in the papers again. #PAKvAUS
— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) March 31, 2022
