After losing the first match of the three-match series at Sharjah, Pakistan take on Australia in the second match of the seires at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi on Friday (August 31). This match will start 19.00 hours (PST).
Pakistan have won 10 and lost nine in 19 one day internationals played at this ground. They have won just one and lost two in three matches played against Australia.
Australia defeated Pakistan by 27 runa when two teams met first time at Sheikh Zayed Stadium on April 29,2009. Pakistan’s propensity to self-destruct cost them the lead in this series in dramatic manner, a batting collapse against spin handing Australia an improbable win. Michael Clarke, the Australian captain, turned in a superb all-round performance with a gritty 66 in the face of some penetrative spin bowling before picking up 3 for 15 amid Pakistan’s middle-order chaos. His spin partners, Nathan Hauritz and Andrew Symonds, helped defend a below-par score of 198 as Pakistan fell short by 27 runs.
Australia made it 2-0 by winning the second match by 8 wickets with 34 balls remaining on May 1,2009. Australian captain Michael Clarke produced a superb unbeaten hundred, his fourth in one-day cricket and first as captain, was arguably his finest and was the key to Australia’s comfortable pursuit of Pakistan’s 197. Michael Clarke and Shane Watson combined for a record-breaking 197-run partnership to lift Australia from its knees after Shoaib Akhtar wound back the clock with two early wickets in a blistering opening spell. Shoaib Akhtar , on return after being left out of previous, claimed Brad Haddin and debutant Marcus North to leave Australia reeling at 3 for 2. But Michael Clarke and Shane Watson negotiated the rest of Shoaib’s sharp four-over opening spell before flourishing under the floodlights. Doug Bollinger produced an exceptional bowling performance in just his second one-day international to help bowl out Pakistan for 197. He finished with a fine 5 for 35 from 7.4 overs on very slow pitch.
A scintillating century from Kamran Akmal helped guide Pakistan to win first match at this ground on May 3,2009. Kamran Akmal’s knock off 115 balls, his fifth century in one dayers, meant he top scored in both of Pakistan’s successful run-chases this series and begged the question as to why he had not batted in the top four throughout. Kamran Akmal combined superbly with Misbah-ul-Haq to reel in Australia’s total, the highest run-chase of this tough series, after being thrust together with Pakistan in trouble at 56 for 3. Their unbroken stand of 198 was a record for the fourth wicket against Australia in one day internationals. It was a disappointing result for the Australians who scored 250 four four in 50 over thanks to Shane Watson’s unbeaten 116 off 146 balls with six fours and two sixes.
AUSTRALIA-PAKISTAN AT ABU DHABI:
-Played on April 27, 2009
Toss: Australia
Australia -198-7 in 50 overs beat Pakistan- 171 in 47.1 overs, by 27 runs
-Played on May 1, 2009
Toss: Pakistan
Pakistan-197 in 48.4 overs, lost to Australia- 200 for two in 44.2 overs, by 8 wickets
-PLayed on May 3,2009
Toss: Australia
Australia-250-4 in 50 overs, lost to Pakistan-254-3 in 47 overs, by 7 wickets.
