Kamran Akmal’s century steered Pakistan to a consolation victory over Australia as the former defeat the Aussies by 7 wickets at Sheikh Zayed Stadium on Sunday evening. The wicket-keeper batsman hit an unbeaten 116 and created a Pakistani record partnership of 198 runs for the fourth wicket with Misbah-ul-Haq. Together the two batsmen successfully chased the Australian total of 251 with three overs to spare. Misbah scored 76 not out.

Shane Watson contributed 116 not out to his team’s total of 250 for 4 in 50 overs. The total was competitive if not magnanimous since three matches out of the previous in the series have had sub-200 totals.

Akmal and Haq put the act together for their team from a stage where they were reeling at 56 for 3. Opener Salman Butt (0) was run out on the second delivery of the innings. Nathan Hauritz got Younis Khan (27) caught off by Ben Hilfenhaus at 46 for 2. Hauritz then got Ahmed Shehzad (19) caught plumb in the front of the wicket as Pakistan sank to 56 for 3 in 16 overs.

The duo took time to settle at the crease and then set Pakistan on its way to victory. Akmal reached his fifth One Day International century with a Michael Clarke boundary. Amusingly, Pakistan have won the match every time Akmal has hit a ton.

Earlier in the game, Watson helped his team reach a respectable total by building steady partnerships as he raced his way to a hundred. A 58-run opening partnership with Brad Haddin (36) and a 57-run stand with Clarke (26) too Australia to the highest total in the series.

Younis Khan praised his team for showing phenomenal improvement from their prior performances in the series. Clarke on the other hand rued about the Australian bowling not being tight enough because he thought 251 was a challenging total.

Australia won the series by 3-2 even after the loss. They won the second match by 6 wickets, third one by 27 runs and the fourth by 8 wickets. Pakistan won the first game by 4 wickets. Kamran Akmal was awarded the Man of the Match prize while Michael Clarke was adjudged the Man of the Series. 

Comments

Add New RSS

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

Newer news items:

Older news items: