SHARJAH, United Arab Emirates – Left-arm paceman Mitchell Starc took a maiden five-wicket haul to bowl Pakistan out for 198 in the first limited overs international at Sharjah Stadium here on Tuesday.
1st ODI: Live Score Pakistan vs Australia
Pakistani batsman Saeed Ajmal is bowled out by Australian bowler James Pattinson during the first One Day International cricket match between Pakistan and Australia at the Sharjah cricket stadium. Pakistan were restricted to 198 in the 45th over in the first of three limited overs international against Australia at Sharjah Stadium.
© AFP Aamir Qureshi
Pakistan, who won the toss, were recovering well when the batting power-play began in the 36th over with the total at 159-4 but lost three wickets in the five overs for just 16 runs with Starc dismissing Asad Shafiq (56), Kamran Akmal (four) and Shahid Afridi (nought) in an incisive bowling display.
His previous best of 4-27 came against Sri Lanka at Brisbane two years ago. He also took 4-47 in Australia’s 66-run win over Afghanistan here on Saturday.
Starc ended all hopes of Pakistan batting through their 50-overs when he had Umar Akmal (52) in the 41st over.
It was Starc’s new-ball partner James Pattinson (3-19) who provided Australia with two early breakthroughs, dismissing Mohammad Hafeez (four) in the fifth over before getting Azhar Ali (five) in the seventh.
Australian bowler Mitchell Starc celebrates after taking the wicket of Pakistani batsman Umar Akmal during the first One Day International cricket match between Pakistan and Australia at the Sharjah cricket stadium. Starc took a maiden five-wicket haul to bowl Pakistan out for 198 in the first limited overs international at Sharjah Stadium.
© AFP Aamir Qureshi
Shafiq and Misbah-ul Haq added 59 for the fourth wicket before the Pakistani skipper played a rash shot off paceman Dan Christian and was bowled for 26.
Shafiq then found an able partner in Umar as both hit out at Australian spinners to the best effect, with both hitting two sixes each. Shafiq also hit two boundaries during his 77-ball knock.
It was left to Umar to give the final touches to the innings but Starc finished all hopes of a Pakistani recovery. Umar also hit two boundaries in his 55-ball innings.
