Friday, January 22, 2010

Pakistan set Australia 275-run target in 1st ODI


Pakistan batsmen set a winning target of 275 runs for Australia in the first One-day International of the five-match Commonwealth Bank series here at the Gabba stadium on Friday.

After captain Mohammad Yousuf won the toss and elected to bat first, Pakistan were all out for 274 runs with two balls remaining.

Salman Butt and Kamran Akmal opened the innings and made 62 runs in 12.5 overs when the latter was caught by Michael Clarke off Shane Watson for 34. His 34-ball innings was laced with four boundaries.

Then came former captain Younis Khan and added 55 runs with Butt, who was caught behind by Brad Haddin off Doug Bollinger for an aggressive 72. He faced 81 balls and hit 12 fours.

However, captain Mohammad Yousuf was dismissed in a strange fashion, bowled by Bollinger and Pakistan lost three wickets for 123.

Later, Umar Ukmal and Shoaib Malik made significant contributions of 23 and 28, respectively

Younis batted very cautiously to score 46 from 74 balls with only one four.

But it was flamboyant Shahid Afridi who blasted a brisk 48 from only 26 balls. He smashed three sixes and five fours in his 32-minute stay at the crease.

After Afrid departed, the Australian bowlers wiped off the remaining two wickets for only five runs while allrounder Rana Naved-ul-Hasan remained not out on eight.

For Australia, Watson claimed four for 36, Clint McKay three for 61 and Bollinger two for 37.

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