Wade counterpunch knocks out Pakistan

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Australia posted a total of 268/9 in their fifty overs thanks largely to a maiden ODI ton from Matthew Wade and it proved to be enough for a 92 run victory in the series opener.

The hosts had found themselves in trouble at 78 for 5 but a well played 60 from Glenn Maxwell and an unbeaten 100 from Wade took the home side to a respectable score at the Gabba.

Mohammad Amir accounted for Australia’s kingpins David Warner and Steve Smith in consecutive balls with a pair of absolute peaches.

Chris Lynn survived the hat-trick ball but would only make it to 16 on his debut before Hasan Ali had him caught behind by Mohammad Rizwan who was standing in for Sarfraz Ahmed.

Travis Head made 39 in his first knock as an ODI opener before Imad Wasim deceived him with a straight one and had him caught by the keeper.

Imad struck again shortly afterwards removing Mitchell Marsh for four to leave Australia 78 for 5.

Maxwell and his Victoria sparring partner Wade steadied the ship though putting on 82 for the sixth wicket and the keeper would excellently marshall the tail and reach his hundred off the final ball of the innings.

Pakistan having looked great with the ball in hand in the first half of the Australia innings almost inevitably looked at sea with the willow in hand.

It was only for the first 8 overs that they seemed on course for the upset win but having reached 38 they lost Sharjeel Khan and a few balls later Azhar Ali retired hurt and though he would return it would be too late to rescue the innings.

Big Billy Stanlake could only bowl three overs before illness forced him off the field for good.

Australia didn’t feel the absence too much with another four seamers in the team as well as Head and Maxwell, who wasn’t called on to bowl.

Head was economical in his ten going for just 28 but unlike the other four bowlers he wouldn’t pick up a wicket.

Faulkner would end as the pick of the bowlers capturing 4 for 32 in 7 overs while Pat Cummins took 3 for 33 and had the distinction of taking the final wicket.

Babar Azam’s 33 and Imad Wasim’s 29 were Pakistan’s highest scores in a dismal batting effort.

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