Summary Despite 3 quick wickets Maxwell and George Bailey batted brilliantly to win the game for Australia
DUBAI (Dunya News) – Australia has defeated Pakistan in the second One-Day International (ODI) in Dubai to seal the three-match series in its favour. Although Pakistan got three wickets early in the innings yet the skipper George Bailey and star batsman Maxwell batted exceptionally well to win the game for Australia.
Earlier, Opener Finch lost his wicket to Mohammad Irfan while the total on the board was 22 as yet. 17 runs later, Smith ave his wicket away to Zulfiqar’s ball that left the batsman at the last moment forcing him to edge the ball to wicket-keeper Sarfaraz Ahmad. Warner (29) also lost his wicket when Australia had scored 72 runs. But George Bailey and Maxwell stabilized the innings and formed an 85 runs partnership. This partnership was broken when Ahmad Shehzad caught Bailey short of his ground while attempting a run. Maxwell also got out when Aussies were 178.
However, Faulkner (26) and Brad Haddin (26) remained undefeated and saw the Australians through. Australia sealed the series through this victory, which was yet another series win of Australia over Pakistan.
Pakistan got all out for a modest total of 215 after a solid start by Sarfaraz Ahmad and Ahmad Shehzad of 126 runs.
Pakistan has got all out for a modest total of 215 after a solid start by Sarfaraz Ahmad and Ahmad Shehzad of 126 runs. After completing 100 runs in the 21st over, Pakistan looked all set for poising a total around 300 in the allotted 50 overs but Doherty gave Australia the breakthrough by getting Ahmad Shehzad out and the Kangaroos never looked back.
In the very next over Sarfaraz gave his wicket away to Johnson and there was domino effect to be seen later on as none of the batsmen following them were able to capitalize upon the brilliant start provided by the openers. Asad Shafiq showed some resistance but couldn’t last long enough. He got out after scoring 29 runs off 35 balls but the national side had already lost the skipper Misbahul Haq and Umar Akmal by then. 14 runs later, Shahid Afridi got out after scoring only 2 runs off 8 balls and Wahab Riaz, Raza Hasan, Zulfiqar Babar and Mohammad Irfan were just a formality afterwards. Pakistan got all out for 215 runs without finishing their quota of 50 overs.
Australia now needs 216 runs to win at a Required Run Rate of 4.34 runs per over.
Australia now needs 216 runs to win at a Required Run Rate of 4.34 runs per over.
Pakistan is facing Australia in the second One-day International (ODI) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai on Friday. Pakistan has scored 171 runs in 36 overs.
Pakistan lost four wickets on 163 runs. Ahmed Shahzad and Sarfraz Ahmed were out after making 61 and 65 runs respectively. Misbahul Haq has been run out after making 15 runs. Umar Akmal was catch out on 5 runs.
Pakistan had won the toss and elected to face the Aussie bowlers on the same pitch in which Pakistan stumbled at 96 for 9 in the Twenty20 match.
The Teams
Australia Squad:
GJ Bailey*, SA Abbott, XJ Doherty, JP Faulkner, AJ Finch, BJ Haddin†, PJ Hughes, MG Johnson, NM Lyon, GJ Maxwell, KW Richardson, SPD Smith, MA Starc, DA Warner
Pakistan Squad:
Misbah-ul-Haq*, Ahmed Shehzad, Anwar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Fawad Alam, Mohammad Irfan, Raza Hasan, Sami Aslam, Sarfraz Ahmed†, Shahid Afridi, Sohaib Maqsood, Sohail Tanvir, Umar Akmal†, Umar Amin, Wahab Riaz, Zulfiqar Babar
