Pakistan vs Australia, 2nd ODI at Lahore, PAK v AUS, Mar 31 2022 - Ball by Ball Commentary

11.07 pm What a way for Pakistan to level the series! They were 4/1 underdogs on the high street at the innings break, but pull off their highest ever chase in ODIs, and how! Babar with a classic century, perhaps his best, and becomes the fastest ever to 15 ODI tons in the process in just 83 innings, three faster than Hashim Amla. Pakistan had never lost an ODI when Fakhar and Imam put on a century partnership so that streak remains intact too.

Imam-ul-Haq after a century in victory: "Thanks to almighty Allah and my parents. It's just a process. I know my game. I just want to back myself. I worked really hard for this and it feels really special when all these things happen. It all comes down to the self-belief. We knew we could chase that. Once you get into the middle overs, we had plans that one has to get through the overs. Luckily me and Babs got rid of the overs. We thought if we can stay there and chase it, alhamdulillah we were lucky today. There's always a margin of improvement for every batsman. I really appreciate all the criticism. We need to work more on strike rate but we really focus on the hurdle and on the management and what is important for us. We know in white ball cricket if you get set, you get runs quickly and that was the best example today. We wanted to back ourself and thank God we were very successful today. Everybody knows our friendship from about 2009. We know each other's games very well. We really back each other and have that belief that we can win matches. If you play so much cricket, you know each other's weaknesses and strengths and that helps. We really needed that win for the team to boost up. They're a really good batting and fielding side. The day after tomorrow is going to be a good match."

Australia captain Aaron Finch: "I think that opening partnership set the foundation for the game for Pakistan. When you're 100 for 0 down, it allows the rest of the guys to play free and Babar came in and played an unbelievable knock. I thought 350 [sic 348] was a good score but not to be. Less dew tonight than there was the other night. The wicket played very well throughout the night. It was a beautiful one-day wicket. I thought we did quite well with the ball. There were just some times when Pakistan took the risks and they came off, which can happen in one-day cricket. When you've only got four players out in the middle overs of the game against some good players with a lot of options, it can be very hard to keep them on strike for a period of time and cut down the boundaries. We tried very hard. It was just not to be tonight."

Pakistan captain Babar Azam is named Player of the Match.

That's it from our coverage today. Come back on Saturday for the series decider. On behalf of Andrew McGlashan, I'm Peter Della Penna. Stay tuned for post-match reaction coverage from Tristan Lavalette, Danyal Rasool and the rest of the ESPNcricinfo team. Take care!

Just two runs to win and level the series.

Well that over swung the pendulum firmly back to Pakistan. 15 off 12 needed now.

27 needed off 18 balls. Pakistan were in total control 20 minutes ago but with Babar and Rizwan both getting out, things have become very interesting. Abbott returns to the attack, around the stumps.

Absaar Ahmad: "Rizwan seriously needs to work on his Odi and test cricket specially in pressure situations like these the time when Pakistan needs his hitting ability he gets out."

James : "Peter, isn't the new rule that you don't cross on a catch?" That rule about the incoming batter always starting on strike doesn't come into effect until October 1.

Shaf: "WHAT WAS THAT RIZZYY WHYYYYY!!!!?????"

Faraz: "Very disappointed with Rizwan's shot"

Usman Khan: "Please don't Pakistan! We are weak of heart and frail of nerves! Why can't we just win without drama!"

Jigar: "Pakistan never like easy finish"

Iftikhar joins Khushdil and he will start on strike as somehow Khushdil failed to cross with the ball in the air a long time.