BRISBANE: Australia have beaten Pakistan by 92 runs in the first One Day International (ODI) played at Brisbane Cricket Ground on Friday.
Chasing 269, Pakistan fell short of 92 runs due irresponsible batting. Babar Azam who got the start but threw his wicket away with a regulation catch in slip. He made 33 runs.
Skipper Azhar Ali who had a cramp earlier during the run chase, only managed to contribute 24 runs facing 48 deliveries.
The whole team was out on 176 with James Faulkner picking up four wickets while Pat Cummins bagged three wickets for the home side.
Mathew Wade, wicket-keeper cum batsman was awarded man of the match for his fighting unbeaten century.
Earlier, Wade saved the Australian innings after the batting top order slumped to 78 for five after winning the toss.
Wade, who has been under pressure to score runs after a lean spell, turned the innings in a 82-run stand with all-rounder Glenn Maxwell and helped build the total with lower order partnerships.
He hit seven fours and two sixes in his knock for his first ODI century. Maxwell was at his quirky best with reverse sweeps and improvised stroke-making in his 60 off 56 balls with seven boundaries before he was out to a false shot.
Maxwell was dismissed in the 31st over with Australia at 160 for six when he attempted to flick Hasan Ali over mid-wicket only to hit the ball with the high part of his bat and dolly an easy catch to Mohammad Hafeez.
Pakistan got the brilliant start, as Mohammad Amir removing dangerous vice-captain David Warner and inform Skipper Steven Smith in back to back deliveries of his second over of the spell.
A few overs later, Hasan Ali sent Chris Lynn back to the pavilion. Debutant Lynn made 16. Then Imad Wasim came into action removing Travis Head (39) and Mitchell Marsh (4) in quick succession.
Rizwan, deputising for first-choice keeper Sarfraz Ahmed who has returned home to tend to his seriously-ill mother, took a total of four catches in the innings.
Hasan finished with the best figures of three wickets for 65 off nine overs.
