Pakistan Vs. Australia ODI Series Round-up

While the powerful start by Pakistan in 1st ODI (Pakistan won by 4 wickets with 35 balls remaining) assured of a good series with Afridi going for the best ever figures of 6-38 in 10 overs, the 2nd ODI was a bit edgy towards Aussies with Australia winning by 6 wickets (with 29 balls remaining).
It was the 3rd ODI, Pakistan restricted Australia to a mere 198, but a shocking tumbling of Pakistani batsmen, just like dominoes made the result contrary, Australia won by 27 runs.
It was the 4th ODI that had to be won by Pakistan to ensure the series is still alive, but it was not in the cards, Umar Gul was rested. Pakistan made 197 (48.4 ov) and towards the end Australia won by 8 wickets (with 34 balls remaining).
As the series was gone now, but Pakistan still had pride to ponder upon, so the 5th ODI was a exquisite one from Pakistan. Aussies made 250/4 (50 ov) but it was not too much for Pakistan this time who were superb when they came out to bat, After a 3 wickets gone down, a mammoth partnership by Kamran Akmal (116*) and Misbah-ul-Haq (76*) smacked Aussies.
The series was an all right one apart from the hiccups that Pakistan suffered. The series was lost, 3-2.
Man of the Series went to Michael Clarke for excellent performance by Bat and Ball throughout the series.

May 7th will mark the last encounter between Aussies and Pak when they meet in the format of Twenty-20.


(Zeeshan Ahmed)