Former Pakistan fast bowler Junaid Khan has criticized the team’s approach after their defeat in the second ODI against Australia at the Gaddafi Stadium, saying the batting unit struggled on spin-friendly conditions that were originally prepared to trouble the visitors. Junaid shared his views on social media platform X, where he suggested that Pakistan’s plan to prepare a turning wicket to challenge Australia ended up backfiring.

Junaid shared his views on social media platform X, where he suggested that Pakistan’s plan to prepare a turning wicket to challenge Australia ended up backfiring.

“Pakistan prepared a spin-friendly wicket to trouble Australia, but in the end, it was the Pakistani batters who got trapped in the web of spin,” Khan wrote.

Pakistan prepared a spin-friendly wicket to trouble Australia, but in the end, it was the Pakistani batters who got trapped in the web of spin. #PAKvAUS

— Junaid khan (@JunaidkhanREAL) June 2, 2026

Australia took advantage of disciplined bowling and adapted better to the conditions, showing a clear difference in execution between the two teams.

The visitors secured a 41-run victory to level the three-match series 1-1 after a controlled bowling performance that broke down Pakistan’s chase.

Batting first, Australia were restricted to 231-9 in 50 overs after Pakistan made early breakthroughs through captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, who led the bowling attack with key wickets.

Australia captain Josh Inglis and Cameron Green steadied the innings with important half-centuries, while Oliver Peake also made a useful contribution.

Green top-scored with 53 off 92 balls, hitting one four and two sixes. Inglis scored 51 from 74 deliveries, with five boundaries, while Peake added 31 off 32 balls, including one four and two sixes.

For Pakistan, Afridi finished with figures of 3/36 in eight overs. Haris Rauf, Arafat Minhas and Abrar Ahmed took two wickets each.

In reply, Pakistan were bowled out for 190 in 44 overs despite a fighting half-century from Shadab Khan, who scored 71 off 104 balls with one four and three sixes.

Wicketkeeper-batter Ghazi Ghori made 37 off 48 balls, hitting five boundaries, while Arafat Minhas added 33 off 43 balls with four fours lower down the order.

Australia’s Nathan Ellis was the standout bowler, taking 4/33 in nine overs. Matthew Short claimed three wickets, while Matthew Kuhnemann, Adam Zampa and Tanveer Sangha took one wicket each.

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