Australia beat Pakistan by 27 runs in the third One Day International in Abu Dhabi on Monday evening. Michael Clarke was the star of the day with both the bat and ball as the game remained low on action and totals. The acting skipper made 66 runs and contributed largely to the total of 198 for 7.

Pakistan looked well set to successfully complete the chase as openers Salman Butt and Ahmed Shehzad put 95 runs for the opening wicket in 22 overs. However, Butt’s (48) dismissal off a Nathan Hauritz delivery triggered a chain that finally saw the entire Pakistan innings collapse at 171 in 47.1 overs.

Michael Clarke then clinched 3 wickets as he sent back Shehzad (40), Misbah-ul-Haq (9) and Shahid Afridi (6). Pakistan were then lumped at 123 for 5. Shoaib Malik persisted through the rampage caused by the Australian seamers until he was run out for 30.

In their innings, Australia had a tough time facing the Pakistani spinners as the run rate never crossed four in the entire innings. After reeling at 91 for 4 at one juncture, a 53-run partnership between Clarke and Callum Ferguson uplifted the drooping innings. Clarke hit his 35th ODI half-century before he was caught and bowled by Shahid Afridi for 66 off 93.

Umar Gul then tamed Ferguson who was doing well at 41 and Australia almost reached 200 as Hauritz (18*) did some last moment hitting.

Notably, the security measures were very stringent at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium. The spectators were given security bands to wear which could not be reused and their belongings were checked thoroughly. This extra tight security was in wake of the terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan cricketers in Lahore earlier this year which not only forced Pakistan Cricket Board to relocate the series to United Arab Emirates but also jeopardized the future of cricket in Pakistan.

Australia are up by 2-1 in the series and Pakistan must tighten up laces if they want to save the series as the fourth One Day International goes live on Wednesday evening 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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