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28 March 2024

1st ODI Sharjah: Smith, Johnson lead Australia rout of Pakistan

Published
By Cricket Correspondent and Agencies

Steven Smith scored a maiden one day hundred while paceman Mitchell Johnson took three wickets to help Australia beat Pakistan by 93 runs in the first day-night international on Tuesday.

Smith, who had never scored a half-century in one-day games before, managed a sedate 118-ball 101 to guide Australia to a challenging 255-8 before bowlers exposed Pakistan's fragile batting to bowl them out for 162 in 36.3 overs at Sharjah stadium.

Johnson (3-24) combined with off-spinners Glenn Maxwell (2-29) and Nathan Lyon (2-33) bowled with venom and guile to derail Pakistan's chase for Australia's 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Only Umar Akmal 46 and Sarfraz Ahmed (34) offered some resistance in a poor batting display.

Pakistan lost opener Ahmed Shahzad early for four but make-shift opener Ahmed and Asad Shafiq (13) put on 50 for the second wicket before Pakistan lost three wickets for just four runs.

Lyon had Sarfraz caught behind off a miscued sweep and the next ball had Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul Haq, playing in his 150th one day international, caught at leg-slip by a diving David Warner.

Johnson, who had recovered fully from a rib injury, then had Shafiq off a rising delivery to leave Pakistan reeling at 63-4.

Akmal and Fawad Alam (seven) were all at sea against some vicious spin from Lyon as runs were hard to come by.

As the pressure built up Alam fell to Glenn Maxwell while Shahid Afridi made just five before holing out off Sean Abbott.

Allrounder Anwar Ali made just eight before being caught by Brad Haddin off Johnson to cap a good return for the bowler.

Australian captain George Bailey praised Smith and Johnson.

"I think we were 15-20 runs short with the bat but Smith did very well and then there was an outstanding effort with the ball," said Bailey.

"It started to turn a bit, our spinners were effective, good pace from the quicks, backed up well in the field," said Bailey.

Misbah was left rueing another poor batting performance by his team.

"The kind of batting performance we have had, we need to do a lot of things to improve," said Misbah.

"Nobody is getting scores right from the top. That is a big worry for us. We need to come to the next game with a positive attitude."

It was Smith who helped Australia recover from a poor start in an innings studded with six boundaries and two sixes.

Smith walked in as early as the second ball of the match when opener Aaron Finch's casual shot off lanky paceman Mohammad Irfan saw him caught at point.

Smith consolidated the innings with an 86-run second wicket stand with Warner (43) and another 37 with  Bailey (18) for the third wicket.

Warner fell to Afridi while Bailey holed out to part-time spinner Alam.

Dashing all-rounder Maxwell (21) failed to take advantage of two dropped catches as he gave away his wicket to debutant spinner Zulfiqar Babar.

Afridi was the best Pakistani bowler with 3-46, after going wicket-less in his last six matches.

Smith too holed out off Afridi in the 45th over, leaving Haddin (23 not out) and Johnson (21) to add the final touches.

Smith's previous best of 46 not out came against England at Adelaide in 2011.

The second match will be in Dubai on Friday followed by the third in Abu Dhabi on October 12. The one-days will be followed by two Tests.

PAKISTAN INNINGS

Australia won the first one-day international against Pakistan at Sharjah on Tuesday by 93 runs.

Chasing a target of 256, Pakistan struggled to make headway from the start following the dismissal of opener Shehzad cheaply and were bowled out in the 37th over for 162.

Sarfraz Ahmed stroked a breezy 34 while Umar Akmal played some judicious shots in his 46.

Last pair Babar and Irfan hit some lusty blows but Pakistan were never in the hunt.

Johnson claimed three for 24, Maxwell two for 29 while Lyon had excellent figures of 10-2-33-2 being on a hat-trick at one stage.

Irfan is run out after hitting a few lusty blows as Pakistan are all out for 162 in 36.3 overs.

Mohammad Irfan run out 12 (8b 0x4 2x6)

Maxwell goes for 20 as Babar and Irfan (two) whack sixes. Pak 157-9 in 36 overs.

OUT! It is all over bar the shouting now as Akmal is bowled by Richardson. Pak 137-9 in 34.1 overs.

Umar Akmal b Richardson 46 (57b 6x4 0x6)

OUT! Pakistan lose their eighth wicket as Riaz chips a return catch to Maxwell. Pak 137-8 in 33.1 overs.

Wahab Riaz c and b Maxwell 5 (10b 1x4 0x6)

Akmal is keeping alive Pakistan's slim hopes of a victory sweeping Lyon for a boundary while Riaz also opens his account with a boundary. Pak 137-7 in 33 overs.

OUT! Johnson claims his third wicket as Ali departs caught behind. Pak 125-7 in 30 overs.

Anwar Ali c Haddin b Johnson 8 (21b 1x4 0x6)

OUT! Akmal plays a sumptuous square drive off Abbott who scalps his maiden wicket that of Afridi miscuing a pull to midwicket. Pak 102-6 in 23.5 overs.

Shahid Afridi c Faulkner b Abbott 5 (7b 0x4 0x6)

OUT! Alam's agony in the middle comes to an as Warner takes another superb catch. Pak 90-5 in 21.4 overs.

Fawad Alam c Warner b Maxwell 7 (25b 0x4 0x6)

OUT!  Shafiq goes being caught behind gloving a short ball from Johnson. Pak 63-4 in 14 overs.

Asad Shafiq c Haddin b Johnson 13 (28b 1x4 0x6)

Alam denies Lyon a hat-trick but Pakistan are on the back foot after the double wicket maiden over. Pak 59-3 in 13 overs.

OUT!  Warner takes a brilliant catch at backward short leg to dismiss Misbah for a golden duck. Pak 59-3 in 12.2 overs.

Misbah-ul-Haq c Warner b Lyon 0 (1b 0x4 0x6)

OUT! Lyon strikes as Sarfaraz gloves it attempting a sweep. Pak 59-2 in 12.1 overs.

Sarfraz Ahmed c Haddin b Lyon 34 (41b 3x4 1x6)

Sarfaraz is on song sweeping and flicking Faulkner for a couple of boundaries. Pak 48-1 in 9 overs.

Sarfaraz sends Faulkner sailing out of the ground for the first six of the innings. Pak 34-1 in 7 overs.

OUT! Johnson draws first blood inducing an expansive drive from Shehzad with Smith at second slip scooping it. Pak 9-1 in 2.2 overs.

Ahmed Shehzad c Smith b Johnson 4 (10b 0x4 0x6)

Sarfraz Ahmed is opening the innings with Shehzad as Pakistan begin the run-chase.

AUSTRALIA INNINGS

Australia spurred by a maiden century by Steven Smith (101) made 255-8 after opting to bat first.

Their innings never really gathered momentum despite a fluent knock of 43 by Warner.

Haddin (23 not out) and Johnson's 16-ball cameo of 21 lifted them as they plundered 64 off the last 10 overs.

Afridi claimed three for 46 but Irfan was the pick of the bowlers returning a superb analysis of 10-2-35-1.

Johnson falls in the penultimate ball of the innings after smashing three consecutive boundaries off Riaz who goes for 17. Aus 255-8 in 50 overs.

Mitchell Johnson b Wahab Riaz 21 (16b 4x4 0x6)

OUT! Debutant Abbott does not last long holing out to Ali in the deep. Aus 221-7 in 45.5 overs.

Sean Abbott c Anwar Ali b Wahab Riaz 3 (7b 0x4 0x6)

OUT! Afridi claims his third wicket as Smith slices to Riaz on the long-off boundary. Aus 216-6 in 44.1 overs.

Steven Smith c Wahab Riaz b Shahid Afridi 101 (118b 6x4 2x6)

Smith completes his maiden ODI century off 115 balls while Haddin gets going with a delightful cover drive to the fence. Aus 212-5 in 43 overs.

OUT! Afridi strikes trapping Faulkner leg before with Australia being unsuccessful with the decision review. Aus 196-5 in 40.3 overs.

James Faulkner lbw b Shahid Afridi 11 (20b 1x4 0x6)

There were no fireworks in the Batting Powerplay apart from a six by Smith off Barbar. Aus 195-4 in 40 overs.

Faulkner glances a loose ball from Ali to fine leg for a boundary. Aus 166-4 in 34 overs.

OUT! Maxwell does not last long chipping Babar to midwicket. Aus 158-4 in 32.1 overs.

Glenn Maxwell c Mohammad Irfan b Zulfiqar Babar 21 (23b 1x4 0x6)

Maxwell gets going with a reverse sweep to the fence off Babar. Aus 151-3 in 31 overs.

DROPPED! Maxwell gets another reprieve with Shehzad running from point failing to latch onto a skier off Afridi again. Aus 140-3 in 29 overs.

OUT! Bailey makes his intentions clear slog sweeping Alam over midwicket but perishes as Afridi takes a skier running back from mid-on. Aus 123-3 in 25.5 overs.

George Bailey c Shahid Afridi b Fawad Alam 18 (24b 0x4 1x6)

Smith hits his maiden ODI half century off 58 balls. Aus 104-2 in 23 overs.

Bailey survives a confident appeal for leg before off Afridi as Pakistan lose a review. Aus 90-2 in 19 overs.

OUT! Afridi strikes getting the big wicket of Warner  who pulls straight to midwicket. Aus 86-2 in 18.1 overs.

David Warner c Umar Akmal b Shahid Afridi 43 (63b 5x4 0x6)

Smith hits a couple of boundaries as Irfan returns. Aus 76-1 in 18 overs.

SIX! Smith slams Ali over mid-off for the first six of the match. Aus 73-1 in 15 overs.

Warner smacks Ali over mid-off another boundary. Aus 62-1 in 14 overs.

Smith shows aggressive intent against spin dancing down the track and flaying Babar to the point boundary. Aus 43-1 in 11 overs.

Warner finishes the Powerplay overs by picking up a streaky boundary off Ali. Aus 37-1 in 10 overs.

Pakistan's second oldest ODI debutant left arm spinner Babar replaces Irfan whose first spell read 4-2-5-1. Aus 30-1 in 9 overs.

Smith slams Riaz through the covers for a delightful boundary. Aus 28-1 in 8 overs.

Irfan is causing all sorts of problem to the Australians beating the outside edge of Smith with a beauty. Aus 22-1 in 7 overs.

Warner latches onto another width ball from Riaz slamming through the covers for a boundary. Aus 20-1 in 6 overs.

Smith pushes Irfan straight down the ground for his first boundary. Aus 14-1 in 5 overs.

Warner pulls another short one from Riaz to the midwicket fence. Aus 10-1 in 4 overs.

Irfan has sent a second consecutive maiden. Aus 5-1 in 3 overs.

It is the 64th time that a wicket has fallen in the first ball of an ODI.

This is the 216th one-day international at Sharjah Cricket Stadium which holds the Guinness World Record for the most number of ODIs at a venue.

Warner gets going cracking a short and wide ball from Riaz to the point boundary. Aus 5-1 in 2 overs.

What a terrific start for Pakistan with Irfan bowling a wicket maiden. Aus 0-1 in 1 over.

OUT! Finch is out for royal duck from the first ball bowled by Irfan with Shehzad snapping him up at point. Aus 0-1 in 01. overs.

Aaron Finch c Ahmed Shehzad b Mohammad Irfan 0 (1b 0x4 0x6)

PLAYING XI

Pakistan:
Ahmed Shehzad, Asad Shafiq, Misbah-ul-Haq, Umar Akmal, Fawad Alam, Sarfraz Ahmed, Shahid Afridi, Anwar Ali, Wahab Riaz, Zulfiqar Babar, Mohammad Irfan

Australia: Aaron Finch, David Warner, Steven Smith, George Bailey, Glenn Maxwell, James Faulkner, Brad Haddin, Sean Abbott, Mitchell Johnson, Kane Richardson, Nathan Lyon

It's look like a 300-plus pitch, according to Dean Jones.

Australia have won the toss and elected to bat first handing a debut to Sean Abbott.

PREVIEW

Pakistan and Australia will focus on spin when they start a three-match one-day series in Sharjah on Tuesday, despite the absence of top bowler Saeed Ajmal, who is suspended over his suspect bowling action.

Pakistan have been hard pressed to compensate for the missing Ajmal, who has single-handedly won them matches in all three formats of the game in the last five years.

He was reported for a suspect bowling action on Pakistan's August tour of Sri Lanka and was subsequently banned from international cricket after a bio-mechanic analysis found his action illegal.

Skipper Misbah-ul Haq stressed Pakistan must move on.

“It's really difficult to fill Ajmal's gap because he has been the number one or two bowler in the one-day rankings, but if Ajmal is not there we must try to fill his gap and move forward,” said Misbah on Monday.

Pakistan have two left-arm spinners in the squad in Raza Hasan, who took 2-17 in Pakistan's six wicket defeat in the lone Twenty20 in Dubai on Sunday, and the experienced Zulfiqar Babar.

Pakistan will also miss all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez, who injured his hand on Saturday and will miss the limited over series.

But Misbah conceded that Pakistan will have to put runs on the board after being restricted to 96-9 in the Twenty20 match, with Australian spinners Glenn Maxwell (3-13) and Cameron Boyce (2-10) causing trouble.

“I think the Australian batsmen have improved against spin by playing in the Indian league. If it's spinning and the bowler puts it in the right areas, then its difficult for everyone, its tough and at the same time you have to bat well against their spinners,” said Misbah.

Pakistan's batting will again be tested after their miserable show on the Sri Lankan tour where they lost the one-day series 2-1 and the Tests 2-0.

Australia also are without their regular captain Michael Clarke who is facing a race against time to get fit from a hamstring injury for the two Tests which follow the one-dayers.

Also out are all-rounders Shane Watson (ankle) and Mitchell Marsh (hamstring).

Skipper George Bailey said Pakistan will be tough even without Ajmal.

“There's no doubt he's been very important to Pakistan,” said Bailey of Ajmal.

“But Pakistan will be trying to prove they don't rely too much on him and it will pose different challenges (for us).“

Bailey accepted it will be a challenge to counter the spin.

“I still think teams are doctoring their wickets when we come and play to produce very large spinning wickets, which says to me that teams still think that we're vulnerable against spin,” Bailey said.

“The challenge for us is to become good against spin."

Pakistan have not beaten Australia in a one-day series since winning 2-1 Down Under in 2002. Since then Australia have won three in a row in 2009 (UAE), 2010 (Australia) and 2012 (UAE).

Teams (from):

Pakistan: Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), Ahmed Shahzad, Sami Aslam, Umar Akmal, Fawad Alam, Umar Amin, Asad Shafiq, Sohaib Maqsood, Sarfraz Ahmed, Shahid Afridi, Raza Hasan, Mohammad Irfan, Anwar Ali, Wahab Riaz, Junaid Khan, Zulfiqar Babar.

Australia: George Bailey (capt), David Warner, Aaron Finch, Steven Smith, Phil Hughes, Glenn Maxwell, Brad Haddin, James Faulkner, Sean Abbott, Kane Richardson, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon.

Umpires: Richard Illingworth (ENG) and Ahsan Raza (PAK) Tv umpire: Nigel Llong (ENG) Match referee: Javagal Srinath (IND)