Daily Times

PERTH: Pakistan once again proved to be the most unpredictable side in the world of cricket as they self-destructed and gifted Australia the match that was in their hands.

Australia capitalised on Pakistani errors to win the one-day international in Perth on Thursday by seven wickets, with skipper Steven Smith scoring a century.

After having looked set to post a much bigger score at several stages of the match, Pakistan made 263 for seven after being sent to bat. But the home side replied with 265 for three, winning with 30 balls to spare. Australia now lead the five-match series 2-1.

Pakistan were the major architects of their own demise. At 2/45 in the 10th over and slipping behind the required run-rate, the men in dark green will look back on Peter Handscomb’s no-ball dismissal and the ensuing dropped catch at point early in his innings as pivotal points in outcome of the match. All too often this fun yet frustrating side engineers to dismantle its advantage.

Nevertheless, Mohammad Amir yet again showed himself to be a class above most of his peers on both sides, treating the viewers with another display of sublime control of both pace and arc.

The men in green had multiple chances to gain complete control of the match, but failed to do so due to basic errors. They claimed openers David Warner (35) and Usman Khawaja (nine) in five balls they had Australia shaking at 45 for two.

One run later, Handscomb was on his way back to the pavilion for a duck on debut, caught at first slip from the bowling of Junaid Khan. Australia should have been 46 for three, but Handscomb was recalled to the pitch due to a front foot no-ball.

Handscomb got another lifeline on 10 when a simple catch was dropped at point, with Junaid again the aggrieved bowler, and that proved to be Pakistan’s downfall.

Smith brought up his eighth ODI century by pulling the 97th ball he faced to the mid-wicket boundary and finished unbeaten on 108.

Earlier in the day, Hazlewood had the visitors confused on how to face his bowling after they made a flying start, picking up 3-32 from his 10 overs.

He claimed the vital wickets of Babar Azam, who topped the scoring board for Pakistan with 84 from 100 balls, Umar Akmal (39) and opener Mohammad Hafeez (4).

Babar played beautifully and appeared set to add another century to his blossoming career, before he was brilliantly caught by Handscomb.

In his 21st innings, the Pakistani number three equalled the record held by four other players for being quickest to 1,000 runs before falling to Hazlewood.

He attempted a pull shot and Handscomb took a great diving catch in the outfield, with the third umpire confirming the Australian got his hands under the ball.

Babar did have some luck and was twice dropped by bowlers on their follow-through. He was dropped low down by James Faulkner on 31 and then Patrick Cummins grassed a tough chance when he was 74.

Umar should have been stumped on one to give part-time spinner Travis Head (2-65) a third wicket, but wicketkeeper Matthew Wade botched an easy dismissal.