Australia leveled scores with Pakistan in the five One Day International series being played in the United Arab Emirates as they won the second game by 6 wickets. Andrew Symonds powered today’s victory with his half-ton and two wickets as Australia go on square the series status by 1-1.

Symonds made a thumping comeback (he played his first match for Australia since July 2008) with his jazzy 58 off 62 balls. Earlier in the game, he tolled 2 for 12 bowling out Pakistan for 207. Australia chased the target successfully with 5 overs to go.

James Hopes and Shahid Afridi displayed some good cricket with their all-rounded skills. Hopes bagged 2 for 45 and scored 48 while Afridi scored 41 and then claimed 2 for 38.

Australia suffered an early jolt when they lost Brad Haddin at 16-1 off an Umar Gul delivery. However, Hopes and Shane Watson buoyed the team out of the situation with their 77-run stand for the second wicket. Spinners Afridi and Saeed Ajmal struck when Australia were 93-1 and soon reduced the Kangaroos to 93-2. Afridi took Hopes (48) and Ajmal claimed Watson (30) in a gap of 3 deliveries.

A recap of the first ODI looked likely where the spin duo led Pakistan to a 4-wicket victory but Australia persevered this time as Michael Clarke and Symonds took charge. Adding 90 for the fourth wicket partnership, the pair confirmed the Aussie hold on the game before Afridi struck again in the 40th over to dismiss Symonds.

Pakistan earlier had a tough time when they were bowled out in 47th over for a measly total of 207. Pacemen Nathan Hauritz and Symonds took 5 wickets collectively as the Pakistani wickets fell at regular intervals.

Opener Salman Butt got 57 off 112 deliveries as his proved to be one of the only two contributions to the Pakistani total. Some final moment hitting by Afridi (41 off 40) and Shoaib Akhtar (25 off 14) got Pakistan to the other side of 200.

Andrew Symonds was adjudged the Man of the Match for his all-rounded performance. The remaining three matches will be played in Abu Dhabi.

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3.25 Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."

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