Daily Times

BRISBANE: Pakistan lost by 92 runs to Australia in the first One-Day International in Brisbane after they were bowled out for 176 runs on Friday.

After Pakistan’s opening duo of Sharjeel Khan and Muhammad Hafeez went back early, making 18 and 4 runs respectively, captain Azhar Ali also went back after he was forced to retire hurt.

He returned later however he could not make any headway as the team collapsed almost a hundred runs short of their target.

This came after Pakistan’s bowling had put it in a dominant position in the very early part of the match.

Muhammad Amir got the ball to straighten and swing right from the off, unsettling openers Warner and Head. Warner fell to the young pacer and Steve Smith followed to leave Australia floundering at 13 for two.

The implosion did not stop there however, with the Australian’s top order collapsing in the face of determined bowling, with 78 runs for five.

However, wicketkeeper Matthew Wade, under pressure to score runs after indifferent form in the preceding matches, led the fight back. He eventually got his first ton, hitting the century run on the last ball of the innings to get the Australians to 268 of their 50 overs for the loss of nine wickets.

He was ably supported by all-rounder Glenn Maxwell who accelerated the innings with 60 runs off just 56 balls until he was dismissed in the 31st over.

Babar Azam was the top-scorer for Pakistan with 33 runs with James Faulkner taking four wickets for 32 to help