Australia seal ODI series with victory over Pakistan

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Chasing 216 for victory Australia reached the target in 43.

Dubai: Glenn Maxwell hit a timely half century to help Australia clinch the one-day series 2-0 after securing a five-wicket victory over Pakistan in the second one-day international at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Friday.

Chasing 216 for victory Australia reached the target in 43.2 overs as they completed yet another comprehensive victory over Pakistan who lost the first one-dayer by a mammoth margin of 93 runs. James Faulkner remained not out on 26 while Brad Haddin was unbeaten on 17.

Maxwell smashed nine fours and one six in his 81-ball 76 and his counterattack neutralised Pakistan’s strategy to hit back through their spin trio of Zulfiqar Babar Raza Hasan and Shahid Afridi.

After surviving some anxious moments Maxwell went on the offensive and his positive intent helped Australia overcome the initial hiccups. Maxwell eventually fell in the 37th over when he top-edged a Babar delivery to Asad Shafiq. Australia were in a spot of bother when they lost opener David Warner for a 27-ball 29 (5x4) in the 14th over through a splendid catch taken at long-on by Mohammad Irfan.

However a timely 85-run fourth wicket partnership between Maxwell and skipper George Bailey in 17.4 overs rescued the Aussies.

The partnership was broken in the 31st over when a direct hit from Ahmed Shehzad ended Bailey’s cautious innings of 28 from 68 balls with three hits to the fence.

Babar took 2-52 from 10 overs while Hasan and Irfan bagged one wicket apiece.

Earlier Mitchell Johnson picked up three wickets for 40 runs and helped Australia bowl out Pakistan for 215 in 49.3 overs. Pakistan batsmen failed to capitalise on fine half centuries from Sarfraz Ahmed and Shehzad who went on to add 126 runs for the first wicket in 25.1 overs. When the duo was at the crease it looked Pakistan would score in excess of 280 but a disciplined effort from the bowlers helped Australia restrict the opposition.

Shehzad was the first to go when he pulled one straight to Steven Smith at mid-wicket giving Doherty his first wicket. Shehzad smashed five fours in his 82-ball 61. Sarfraz too fell in the very next over from Johnson as the wicketkeeper sliced the ball straight to Maxwell at point. Sarfraz who was impressive in the first ODI with a 41-ball 34 went on to score his first half-century in one-day cricket. The 27-year old wicketkeeper from Karachi hit 65 off 72 balls (5x4 1x6).

Then Misbah-ul Haq and Shafiq added 29 runs for the third wicket but the skipper’s batting woes continued when he was run-out in the 34 over thanks to a brilliant work from Maxwell at cover. Misbah scored 15 off 29 balls.

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