The ODI between Australia and Pakistan on Friday at Sharjah ended with Pakistan’s loss and Australia victory as Aaron Finch scored his 12th ODI century. Harris Sohail’s first come to the ODI ended in a loss for Pakistan by 8 wickets.
Finch who scored 116 runs for the team made the chase of 281 runs seem minuscule as he shared a 2nd wicket partnership with Shaun Marsh for 172 runs. Marsh himself scored 91 runs and was not out. The tourists got an easy victory with an over left to spare and win the first of the five matches series.
Sohail scored 101 runs off of 115 balls and set a target for the Australian opener at 280-5 and raised the hopes of Pakistani team. Umar Akmal also contributed with his 48 runs which was his first ODI appearance in the last 2 years.
Sohail and Akmal stood ground for the 3rd wicket partnership of 98 runs. As for the final 5 overs of the match, Pakistan’s Faheem Ashraf scored 28 runs while Imad Wasim scored 28 runs and was not out. Their 55 runs partnership in the last overs helped Pakistan to put up one hell of chasing the target.
On the bowling front, Australian Spinner Nathan Lyon got 1 wicket as he gave only 44 runs.
As from Pakistan’s side, Mohammad Abbas took the front as he got the wick3t of Finch when he managed to catch the opener behind. Still, it was to no avail as Australia was already at 235 with 7 overs to spare where Marsh and Peter Handscomb both took the final stand to guarantee the visitor’s win.
Usman Khawaja from Australia’s side got out on Ashraf’s first delivery during the start of the 12th over. It was the only other wicket that Pakistan claimed in this match.
The series will now continue in Sharjah on Sunday as well as further matches being played in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday and Dubai on Friday and Sunday.
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