How a cheeky Adam Zampa comment forced Pakistan to burn a review – but Aussies are smashed anyway
- Pakistan overturned Australian order to claim second ODI
- Sets up a decider with a host of Australian players forced to withdraw from Test duty
- Zampa helped save Australia from record destruction
Adam Zampa helped Australia pull off a record-breaking job in the second ODI against Pakistan on Friday and also helped rob their opponents of a crucial review late in the Aussie innings.
World Cup champions Australia were embarrassed by Pakistan at the Adelaide Oval and suffered one of the heaviest defeats in their proud ODI history.
After posting just 163 runs, Australia were then punished in the field by Pakistan openers Saim Ayub (82) and Abdullah Shafique (64 not out) as the tourists romped to a nine-wicket win in the second ODI with 141 balls to spare .
It is the first time since 1992 that Australia have lost a home ODI by nine wickets.
They avoided becoming the first Australian team to lose a white-ball match at home by 10 wickets when Zampa ended the opening 137-run stand.
“It wasn’t one of our best days,” said Australian captain Pat Cummins.
“We’ve been pretty good lately, but unfortunately today was one of our worst.”
However, one cheeky moment from Zampa late in the Aussie dig provided the highlight, with the spinner convincing Pakistan wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan to use the review.
Australian spinner Adam Zampa toiled hard with the bat for Australia after a massive collapse in the middle order
Zampa went for this big heave late in the Aussie innings as the ball sailed over his head
The Australian bowler brazenly managed to convince Pakistan to reconsider their decision not to go out
Zampa went for a big heave with the Aussies in deep trouble at 9-153, with the Pakistan keeper falling behind.
While the umpire was unmoved, Rizwan decided to try his luck with the Australian batsman.
Rizwan: ‘Did you hear anything? ‘
Zampa: ‘You are attractive for everything.’
Rizwan: ‘Should I take it [the review]?’
Zampa: ‘Yes, you should, you should take that.’
Pakistan did indeed review the decision, much to the amusement of the commentary team, but the result did not come out.
Pakistan’s stunning win on Friday gives them a huge chance to win the three-match series, with Test stars Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne having to sit out Sunday’s decider in Perth.
These five will not make the journey west so that they can prepare for the upcoming battle for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India.
Wicketkeeper Josh Inglis, who will captain Australia for the first time in the absence of Cummins, Glenn Maxwell, and Zampa will be the only members of last year’s World Cup finals to play at Optus Stadium.