Updated on
Summary Pakistan struggled against Australian attack and managed to score only 198 in ODI at Sharja.
That was a rather bizarre end to the innings.Pakistan had a poor start as they lost three quick wickets.Asad Shafiq then added some stability to the batting and he was partnered well by Umar Akmal.Shafiq went on to score a half century and the duo added 61 runs.The batting power-play proved to be Pakistans biggest problem though, as they lost three wickets for 16 runs in those five overs.Umar too scored a fifty but didnt show the willingness to keep that innings going as he lost partners at the other end.Eventually Pakistan put on a pretty ordinary performance with the bat and registered a poor total.Australia should be able to chase this down quite easily but Pakistan can just disturb things a little with their bowling attack, do join us in 40 minutes for the chase.Pakistan not only failed to reach 200 but they also fell way short of their allotted 50 overs.The batting Power-play has been a problem for them in recent times - they lost control in an ODI in Colombo recently and collapsed spectacularly.Even well-set players like Umar Akmal looked lost.Starc led the way with his five-for and his round the wicket line was effective in stifling the batsmen.A combined effort from the seamers who have bowled superbly in this humidity.Dont write off Pakistan yet. The pitch is getting a bit slow and their spinners will be a handful. Australia will have to sustain their energy late into the night. Could be an interesting chase.
