Salman Butt’s 72 put Pakistan on track for a sizeable total and Shahid Afridi made sure it happened with a powerful late surge that took them to 274 at the Gabba. Australia fought back in the first ODI of the summer through Shane Watson and Clint McKay, but after the visitors wobbled to 7 for 227 in the 44th over, Afridi steadied them with 48 off 26 deliveries.

The tourists had a series of useful stands over most of the innings but none that dominated the game until Afridi arrived at No.7. Afridi muscled a six to long-on from Nathan Hauritz before pulling Peter Siddle into the stands over midwicket to provide a much-needed boost during the batting Powerplay.

He also found three boundaries in a row off McKay before the final delivery of the over went for four leg-byes. However, after swatting Watson for six to long-on, he was caught at midwicket trying for another clearance and the pace slowed, with Mohammad Asif’s run-out ending the innings with two balls remaining. Watson finished with a career-best 4 for 36 off ten while McKay returned 3 for 61. It was a mixed innings for the Australians, who had less support than usual with a smaller crowd in attendance.

Butt guided the start after Mohammad Yousuf won the toss and put on 62 with the recalled Kamran Akmal (34) before joining forces with Younis Khan. He dominated the partnership with Younis, who scored eight of the 55 for the second wicket, but fell to his 81st ball when he top edged a pull off Doug Bollinger and was well caught by Haddin. Yousuf (2) quickly followed when he played on to a steepling delivery from Bollinger, which hit his glove, bounced into the pitch and then landed on top of the bails.

Pakistan seemed on the brink of trouble at 3 for 123, but recovered before some problems arrived after they reached 200. Younis came in for his first match since giving up the captaincy and was struggling with the added intensity. He knew he would get better with time and hung in to be the support partner in stands with Butt, Umar Akmal and Shoaib Malik. Younis was dropped by Hauritz at third man on 46 but fell without adding to his score when pulling McKay to deep square leg.

Umar Akmal was in his usually aggressive mode and produced another energetic cameo, which included three fours in an over off Hauritz, but he was angry to edge a short ball from McKay on 23 and kicked the air on his departure. Michael Clarke and Michael Hussey, who was denied the stumping of Younis by the video umpire, were also brought on during the middle overs. Younis and Malik (28) built steadily until Malik gave Watson his second wicket when he tried to raise the pace, managing only to edge behind after charging down the pitch.

Courtesy: CricinfoSalman Butt’s 72 put Pakistan on track for a sizeable total and Shahid Afridi made sure it happened with a powerful late surge that took them to 274 at the Gabba. Australia fought back in the first ODI of the summer through Shane Watson and Clint McKay, but after the visitors wobbled to 7 for 227 in the 44th over, Afridi steadied them with 48 off 26 deliveries.

The tourists had a series of useful stands over most of the innings but none that dominated the game until Afridi arrived at No.7. Afridi muscled a six to long-on from Nathan Hauritz before pulling Peter Siddle into the stands over midwicket to provide a much-needed boost during the batting Powerplay.

He also found three boundaries in a row off McKay before the final delivery of the over went for four leg-byes. However, after swatting Watson for six to long-on, he was caught at midwicket trying for another clearance and the pace slowed, with Mohammad Asif’s run-out ending the innings with two balls remaining. Watson finished with a career-best 4 for 36 off ten while McKay returned 3 for 61. It was a mixed innings for the Australians, who had less support than usual with a smaller crowd in attendance.

Butt guided the start after Mohammad Yousuf won the toss and put on 62 with the recalled Kamran Akmal (34) before joining forces with Younis Khan. He dominated the partnership with Younis, who scored eight of the 55 for the second wicket, but fell to his 81st ball when he top edged a pull off Doug Bollinger and was well caught by Haddin. Yousuf (2) quickly followed when he played on to a steepling delivery from Bollinger, which hit his glove, bounced into the pitch and then landed on top of the bails.

Pakistan seemed on the brink of trouble at 3 for 123, but recovered before some problems arrived after they reached 200. Younis came in for his first match since giving up the captaincy and was struggling with the added intensity. He knew he would get better with time and hung in to be the support partner in stands with Butt, Umar Akmal and Shoaib Malik. Younis was dropped by Hauritz at third man on 46 but fell without adding to his score when pulling McKay to deep square leg.

Umar Akmal was in his usually aggressive mode and produced another energetic cameo, which included three fours in an over off Hauritz, but he was angry to edge a short ball from McKay on 23 and kicked the air on his departure. Michael Clarke and Michael Hussey, who was denied the stumping of Younis by the video umpire, were also brought on during the middle overs. Younis and Malik (28) built steadily until Malik gave Watson his second wicket when he tried to raise the pace, managing only to edge behind after charging down the pitch.

Courtesy: Cricinfo