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Australia Vs Pakistan - 1st ODI - Dubai Sports City cricket stadium, Dubai - Bulletin

Sahid Afridi was the man of the moment for Pakistan after he single handedly destroyed the powerful Aussie batting line up and followed it up with a crucial 24 runs off 16 ball cameo. It came as a big relief for Pakistan, who had to put behind the events of the past few months and concentrate on their cricket. Aussies won the toss and elected to bat first on a pitch which might show some signs of deterioration later in the night. Australia began well with 40 odd run first wicket partnership before Marsh was run out due to a brilliant effort in the field by Salman Butt. Haddin and Watson were looking dangerous and the spinners were introduced into the attack. The spinners responed well with Afridi picking up Haddin and Ajmal by getting the wicket of the Aussie captain Clarke. There was no stopping Afridi as he single ran through the aussie line up picking up the wickets of Symonds, Watson, Ferguson, Bracken and Stuart Clark in addition to that of Haddin. Afridi finished his spell with a carrer best of 6/38 off his 10 overs. Afridi was well supported by Ajmal who ended up with the figures of 2/19 in his quota of 10 overs. Hopes was the only Aussie middle order batsman who showed some resistance by picking up crucial 48 runs and the Aussies were bundled out for a paltry 168 in 38.5 overs.

Chasing 169 Pakistan didn't make an auspicious start loosing Butt early, but the other opener Kamran Akmal batted carefully before he was dismissed for 48. It looked like a test match with more importance given to occupying the crease than socring runs. Younis Khan took 31 balls for his 11 and Malik took 53 balls for his 24. With the dismissal of Malik, came Boom Boom Afridi and he did nothing bad to his reputation scoring some quick fire runs. Afridi hit 3 fours off Hilfenhaus over, but Hilfenhaus had the last laugh as he dismissed Afridi in the same over. Jamshed fell after scoring just 9 runs, but Misbah's 68 ball 30 ensured Pakistan's victory without further hiccups. Its time for Aussies to do some soul - searching as Pakis go one up in this 5 match series.

Toss:
Australia won the toss and elected to Bat

Teams:
Australia
S Marsh, B Haddin, S Watson, M Clarke, A Symonds, J Ferguson, J Hopes, N Hauritz, N Bracken, S Clark, B Hilfenhaus
Pakistan
S Butt, K Akmal, Younis Khan, S Malik, Mibah - ul - Haq, S Afridi, Nasir Jamshed, U Gul, Shohaib Akhtar, Iftikhar Anjum, Saeed Ajmal

Brief Scores:
Australia - 168 all out in 38.5 overs(J Hopes - 48, S Watson - 40, B Haddin - 40, Shahid Afridi - 6/38, Saeed Ajmal - 2/19)
Pakistan - 171/6 in 44.1 overs(K Akmal - 48, Misbah - ul - Haq - 30*, Hopes - 2/22, Hilfenhaus - 2/42)

Result:
Pakistan won by 4 wickets