4.14 PM Thursday, 28 March 2024
  • City Fajr Shuruq Duhr Asr Magrib Isha
  • Dubai 04:57 06:11 12:27 15:53 18:37 19:51
28 March 2024

Pakistan vs Australia 2nd ODI: Dubai delight for Oz as Maxwell seals series win

Published
By Cricket Correspondent and Agencies
Glenn Maxwell's brisk 76 guided Australia to a comfortable five-wicket win over Pakistan in the second one-day international in Dubai on Friday, securing an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
 
Pakistan wasted a strong start from openers Sarfraz Ahmed (65) and Ahmed Shehzad (61) as they were bowled out for 215 in the final over after captain Misbah-ul-Haq had won the toss and opted to bat.
 
Australia lost a couple of early wickets in their run-chase but a fourth-wicket partnership of 85 between Maxwell and captain George Bailey (28) proved the key.
 
Bailey was run out before Maxwell, who was dropped on two by Umar Akmal at slip off debutant Raza Hasan, top-edged a sweep off Zulfiqar Babar for Asad Shafiq to complete a running catch.
 
All-rounder James Faulkner (26 not out) and wicketkeeper Brad Haddin (17 not out) then struck a few lusty blows to take Australia past their target with 6.4 overs to spare.
 
"I was just playing my role," said man of the match Maxwell at the presentation ceremony after hitting nine fours and a six in an 81-ball knock.
 
"Today I came in at a different situation with the ball spinning ... I just tried to play to the situation and get the team close to the total."
 
Earlier, Pakistan reached 126 without loss in 25 overs but the innings then imploded as they lost 10 wickets for 89 runs.
 
The openers were removed in successive overs before Misbah's untimely run out for 15 robbed the Pakistan innings of momentum on the spinning track.
 
The Australian bowlers, led by Mitchell Johnson's three for 40, turned the screws and made scoring difficult for the batsmen on the slow pitch.
 
"Poor display in the last 25 overs," Misbah said. "If we had batted normally we would have scored 250 ... we could have defended that."
 
The third and final match will be played on Sunday in Abu Dhabi. 

AUSTRALIA INNINGS

Two back to back boundaries from Faulkner as Australia win the second ODI comfortably by five wickets with still 40 balls to spare. Aus 217-5 in 43.2 overs.

That's Maxwell wicket for Babar but looks like it came a little too late. Pak 178-5 in 36.3 overs.
 
Glenn Maxwell c Asad Shafiq b Zulfiqar Babar 76 (81b 9x4 1x6)

That was a very close decision but great job from Shehzad as he dives at midwicket to get a direct hit. Pakistan have a thin hope here. Aus 157-4 in 30.5 overs.
 
George Bailey run out 28 (68b 3x4 0x6)

Maxwell scores a superb half century. He really worked hard for this as he reaches in 55 deliveries including five boundaries and a six. Aus 148-3 in 30 overs.

Maxwell and Bailey batting on 25 as their partnership reaches 46. It's hurting Pakistan and if they fail to take a wicket that could well seal the hopes of pushing for a win. Aus 118-3 in 24 overs.

A good partnership between Maxwell and Bailey is becoming crucial for Australia. Pakistan desperate to break this as Misbah trying out all his options. Aus 102-3 in 20 overs.

A brilliant leaping catch from the lanky Irfan on the line as Pakistan grab the big wicket of Warner. Pakistan is now in the game. Aus 72-3 in 13.1 overs.
 
David Warner c Mohammad Irfan b Raza Hasan 29 (27b 5x4 0x6)

Australia need 150 runs more from 40 overs. Task looks easy unless Pakistan push for some wickets. Aus 66-2 in 10 overs.

It's getting interesting now as Pakistan strike again. Zulfiqar tastes success in his first over to remove the dangerous Smith. Pak 39-2 in 6.5 overs.
 
Steven Smith c Sarfraz Ahmed b Zulfiqar Babar 12 (15b 2x4 0x6)

Two boundaries from Finch looked like he was dominating before Irfan bowls a beauty to take the edge of his bat. Umpire turns down the appeal before its refferred successfully by Pakistan. Aus 22-1 in 4 overs.
 
Aaron Finch c Sarfraz Ahmed b Mohammad Irfan 14 (12b 3x4 0x6)

Hasan opens the bowling for Pakistan as Finch, Warner take charge. Aus 7-0 in 1 over

Despite a great start from openers who shared a century stand, Pakistan could manage only 215 before being all out in 49.3 overs.
 
Ahmed Shehzad (61) and Sarfraz Ahmed (65) scored half centuries but with other batsmen failing to carry on the good work Pakistan just managed to cross the 200-run mark. Mitchell Johnson did most of the damage to claim three wickets.
 
Asad Shafiq (29) and Fawad Alam (20) were the other contributors.

PAKISTAN INNINGS

The last wicket collapses as Irfan is run out for a naught. Pak 215 all out in 49.3 overs.
 
Mohammad Irfan run out 0 (1b 0x4 0x6)

Zulfiqar departs to give Faulkner his first wicket. Pak 214-9 in 49 overs.
 
Zulfiqar Babar c Maxwell b Faulkner 6 (11b 0x4 0x6)

Another one goes as Hasan is run out. A big score now looks a far reality. Pak 204-8 in 45.5 overs.
 
Raza Hasan run out 0 (2b 0x4 0x6) 

Pakistan losing the plot here as Riaz is gone. Losing wickets at regular interval has put Pakistan in the back seat. Pak 203-7 in 45.3 overs.
 
Wahab Riaz b Richardson 2 (8b 0x4 0x6)

Superb catch from Smith at the slips. He misses it on the first attempt but takes it in the second. Pakistan look to be in serious trouble. Pak 199-6 in 43.4 overs.
 
Shahid Afridi c Smith b Johnson 2 (9b 0x4 0x6)

Only five runs have come since the fall of Shafiq's wicket. This partnership will be crucial for Pakistan with all eyes on Afridi to give them some big ones. Pak 190-5 in 42 overs.

Shafiq was looking strong hammering a six and a boundary. Attempting another one he offers a simple catch to Johnson. Pak 185-5 in 39 overs.
 
Asad Shafiq c Johnson b Lyon 29 (35b 2x4 1x6) 

Johnson strikes again as he takes the big wicket of Akmal. Not a shot Akmal should have played so early. This can put Pakistan in trouble. Johnson on a roll here. Pak 168-4 in 36.1 overs.
 
Umar Akmal c Smith b Johnson 5 (9b 0x4 0x6) 

Misbah falls short as Shafiq forces him for a single. That's another blow for Pakistan. Pak 159-3 in 33.4 overs.
 
Misbah-ul-Haq run out 15 (29b 1x4 0x6) 

Two sudden wickets have certainly slowed down the progress but Misbah and Shafiq slowly stitching together a partnership. Pak 145-2 in 30 overs.

Australia's plot to get Johnson back to bowl has worked as Sarfraz departs the very first ball. He cuts it straight into the hands of Maxwell at point. Pak 130-2 in 26.1 overs.
 
Sarfraz Ahmed c Maxwell b Johnson 65 (72b 5x4 1x6)

Ahmed Shehzad can't believe the shot he played to offer a straight catch to Smith at midwicket. Pak 126-1 in 25.1 overs.
 
Ahmed Shehzad c Smith b Doherty 61 (82b 5x4 0x6) 

Sarfraz Ahmed gets to his half century. His first in ODIs. He gets it in 60 balls including four boundaries and a six. Pak 107-0 in 22 overs.

Half century for Shehzad as he gets it in 63 deliveries including five boundaries. 

Pakistan maintaining a fine run rate at close to five per over with both openers inching closing to their respective half centuries. Pak 96-0 in 20 overs.

Sarfraz Ahmed showing lot of aggression and not allowing Australian bowlers to settle down. Two boundaries in successive overs takes him to 37 while Shehzad is on 22. Pak 72-0 in 16 overs.

A beautiful partnership building on for Pakistan. They have certainly learnt their lessons from the first ODI. Pakistan from this situation should look to easily get past 300. Pak 60-0 in 14 overs.

Shehzad reaches 25 from 32 balls while Ahmed is on 18 from 28 balls. Pak 45-0 in 10 overs.

No easy scoring opportunities for the Pakistan openers. But they have held on ensuring they don't lose early wickets. Pak 28-0 in 7 overs.

Bowlers Johnson and Richardson doing a great job as openers adopt a cautious approach. Pak 19-0 in 5 overs.

Good steady start from Shehzad as Pakistan reach 10 for no loss in 2 overs.

Shehzad and Sarfraz begin proceedings for Pakistan as Johnson prepares to bowl.

Pakistan skipper Misbah wins toss and decides to bat first. He says the pitch looks good for batting and can help them put a big total.

PLAYING XI
 
Pakistan: Ahmed Shehzad, Sarfraz Ahmed, Asad Shafiq, Misbah-ul-Haq, Fawad Alam, Umar Akmal, Shahid Afridi, Raza Hasan, Wahab Riaz, Zulfiqar Babar, Mohammad Irfan
 
Australia: Aaron Finch, David Warner, Steven Smith, George Bailey, Glenn Maxwell, James Faulkner, Bradd Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Kane Richardson, Xavier Doherty, Nathan Lyon
 
PREVIEW

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq said his team will look for a confidence-boosting win over Australia in the second day-night international in Dubai on Friday.
 
Pakistan lost by 93 runs in the opening match of three in Sharjah on Tuesday and looked well short on confidence.
 
Steven Smith hit a maiden hundred to bolster Australia to 255-8 before paceman Mitchell Johnson and spinner Nathan Lyon shared five wickets to bowl out Pakistan for a low 162 in 36.3 overs.
 
Misbah said his batsmen needed one good innings to get them going.
 
"At the moment our confidence is shaky," said Misbah on Thursday.
 
"When your confidence is bad even a straight ball becomes difficult for you, all these players have performed well before but at the moment they need one good innings to restore that confidence."
 
Misbah said levelling the series was important.
 
"Yes, it is very important to level the series, for the sake of saving the series, for the sake of the team and the management. 
 
"Winning is always very important and it is more important with the World Cup coming up," said Misbah of the global event to be jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand in February-March next year. 
 
"A win puts all the things in the right place. It is very important that you keep working hard and don't lose hope," said Misbah, who is also under pressure to perform after flopping on the last tour of Sri Lanka in August.
 
He managed just 67 runs in the two Tests and as many runs (67) in the three-match one-day series in Sri Lanka when Pakistan lost both.
 
He was dismissed for a first-ball duck in Sharjah.
 
Left-arm spinner Raza Hasan has recovered from a shoulder injury and is likely to replace allrounder Anwar Ali.
 
Australia too have brought in left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty for Mitchell Marsh (ruled out of the tour with a hamstring injury) and may replace him with a fast bowler.
 
Brad Haddin said Australia will take advantage of opponents being short on confidence.
 
"That's good for us," said Haddin when told of Misbah's comments. "I will go back and tell the boys. It's good because the matches are just a few days apart."
 
Haddin said if Australia win on Friday, only then would they think of a whitewash.
 
"I think it was good to start the series with a win," said Haddin. "If we win tomorrow then a 3-0 whitewash will be on radar."
 
If Australia win 3-0 they will regain number one rankings in one-day internationals. 
 
Australia won the only Twenty20 in Dubai by six wickets on Sunday.
 
The third and final game will be played in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
 
Teams (from):
 
Pakistan: Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), Ahmed Shahzad, Umar Akmal, Fawad Alam, Sami Aslam, Umar Amin, Asad Shafiq, Sohaib Maqsood, Sarfraz Ahmed, Shahid Afridi, Raza Hasan, Mohammad Irfan, Anwar Ali, Wahab Riaz, Zulfiqar Babar, Sohail Tanvir.
 
Australia: George Bailey (captain), David Warner, Aaron Finch, Phil Hughes, Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Brad Haddin, James Faulkner, Sean Abbott, Kane Richardson, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Xavier Doherty.
 
Umpires: Nigel Llong (ENG) and Shozaib Raza (PAK)
 
Tv umpire: Richard Illingworth (ENG)
 
Match referee: Javagal Srinath (IND)