How it happened: Australia take series lead

Stephen Nelmes

• Last Updated: April 27. 2009 11:53PM UAE / April 27. 2009 7:53PM GMT

Pakistan's Shoaib Malik plays a shot as Pakistan chase a target of 199 but lose by 27 runs. Australia lead the series 2-1 after beating Pakistan by 27 runs in the third one-day international in Abu Dhabi Pawan Singh / The National

AUSTRALIA WIN BY 27 RUNS

Michael Clarke led from the front by claiming three priceless wickets as Australia come from behind to beat Pakistan by 27 runs.

Pakistan were in a strong position at the half-way stage before Clarke, Hauritz and Bracken pegged them skittled out the hosts for 170.

Australia posted a target of 199 with Clarke top scoring with 65.

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WICKET Over 48 Stuart Clark returns and it takes one ball for him to bowl out Gul for a duck. Australia win by 27 runs. Pakistan 170 all out.

WICKET X2 Over 47 Hilfenhaus returns for his second spell. He strikes on his second delivery as Tanveer pulls one that rises on him too quickly to Hussey at deep mid-wicket. Umer Gul is now at the crease. The batsmen crossed and Malik is on strike. He then sees red and calls a run despite playing it behind him. Haddin has a shy at the stumps and hits them before Malik can retreat. He goes for 30 and possibly Pakistan’s hopes of winning. Saeed Ajmal, the last man, comes to the crease. Ajmal gets roughed from a short delivery on to his shoulder and requires help from the physio. Pakistan 170-9.

Over 46 The third and final powerplay is in place. Tanveer skies one over mid-on but to safety for two runs. Pakistan add two singles before Bracken finishes with two more dot balls. He finishes with one for 37, but his last six overs went for 14 runs. Pakistan now need 30 from 24. Pakistan 169-7.

Over 45 Tanveer seems to have nine lives. Firstly he came close to a stumping but was ruled in by the third umpire, then he top-edged Symonds into the hands of Haddin, but the umpire perceived it to have come off his arm. Pakistan only make a single off the over and now need 34 runs from 30 balls to win. Symonds finishes with one for 41 off his ten overs. Pakistan 165-7, Malik 28 Tanveer 9.

Over 44 Two dots and two singles from Bracken’s first four balls. He is proving to be quite the death bowler for Australia. Pakistan add two and now need 35 from 36. Pakistan 164-7.


Over 43 Tanveer survives an lbw appeal from Symonds. The all-rounder bowls four dots before a miss-field allows Tanveer to score a boundary and move on to seven. That could be costly. Pakistan 160-7.

Over 42 Bracken concedes three runs off his over. The run rate is now at 5.4 as Pakistan need 43 from 48. Pakistan 156-7.


WICKET Over 41 Yasir is out clean bowled from Symonds. The batsmen tried to play through the line and was beaten by a quicker delivery. Sohail Tanveer joins Malik at the crease. At last some cheer as Malik scores the first boundary in nine overs. It also brings up Pakistan’s 150. They now need 46 to win from 54 balls. Pakistan 153-7.

Over 40 Bracken bowls three more dots before allowing Malik a single through point. Yasir also scores through that area as they close in to prevent Malik taking the strike on the last ball. Pakistan 148-6, Malik 20 Yasir 3

Over 39 Three runs from Clarke’s over does not help the Pakistan cause. The Australians are more than happy to let Malik take a single here and there as they now need 53 from 66 to win. Pakistan 146-6.


Over 38 Bracken bowls a maiden as Yasir cannot find the room to get his innings going. The crowd acknowledge the importance of that over as the required run rate is now at 4.7 an over. Pakistan 143-6.


Over 37 Clarke switches ends and deploys a slip and a silly point for Yasir. Clarke keeps it tight and goes for two. Pakistan need 56 to win from 78 balls. Pakistan 143-6.


WICKET Over 36 Bracken, who was costly in his first spell, returns after the drinks break. After three dots, Bracken strikes as Akmal goes for 8. He chipped one to Hopes at mid-on. Yasir Arafat is next in. Pakistan 141-6, Malik 16 Arafat 0

Over 35 It is all about saving boundaries for Australia as Symonds personifies that by clattering into Akmal at the non-strikers end as he attempts to save a drive from Malik. He succeeds and only three runs comes off his bowling. The required rate us just below four an over. Pakistan 140-5.

Over 34 Akmal and Malik tip and run Clarke for four singles. Akmal is playing himself in for the final 15 overs. Pakistan 137-5.


Over 33 Symonds returns and concedes five runs off his first three balls. He finishes with three dots. Pakistan 133-5.

Over 32 Haddin drops a clanger and concedes four byes in an otherwise tidy over from Clarke. He remains the threat and he has to keep Akmal quiet. Pakistan 128-5.

Over 31 Hauritz’s spell is over with him conceding one run off his final over. He leaves with tidy figures of two for 25 with three maidens from his 10 overs. Pakistan 124-5.


WICKET Over 30 Afridi goes for 10! He tries to smash one into the on-side but edges it to David Hussey at slip off the bowling of Clarke. Kamran Akmal enters the madness. What a brilliant five overs. Pakistan are still in the driving seat needing 75 off 20 overs. But with wickets flying all over the place you cannot discount Australia. Pakistan 124-5.

Over 29 Malik runs three off Hauritz’s first ball. Afridi sweeps a single as the pace of the match slows after a mad few overs. The crowd has also gone a bit subdued. Pakistan 123-4.

Over 28 Malik and Afridi help themselves to two runs each in Clarke’s second over. Pakistan 119-4.


Over 27 Woah controversy. Malik rightfully survives a stumping decision, but the third umpire Nadeem Ghauri presses the out button before swiftly changing it back to not out. The Australians are incensed the crowd are over the moon. After more appeals Malik ends the eventful over with a four through the cover region. Pakistan 115-4.


WICKET X2 Over 26 Michael Clarke brings himself on and instantly gets a breakthrough. Misbah plays through the line and pelts it to long-on where Hilfenhaus catches him for nine. Shoaib Malik is next in. The batsmen crossed so Shehzad faces. And he also goes, clean bowled by Clarke on the next delivery for 40. The crowd then sends the biggest cheer of the night as Shahid Afridi attempts to survive the hat-trick ball. He blocks Clarke out. Pakistan 111-4.

Over 25Pakistan hold an 18 run advantage in comparison to Australia’s innings with two wickets in hand. Pakistan 107-2, Shehzad 40 Misbah 9


Over 24 Hauritz’s flurry momentarily muted the crowd, but Misbah gets off to the mark in style with a huge six straight down the ground. It brings up 100 for Pakistan and the horns and drums continue to ring around the stadium. Pakistan 103-2.

WICKET X2 Over 23 And as soon as I said that Hauritz strikes twice in two balls. First he forces Salman Butt to edge to Clarke at slip for 48. Then on his next ball Younis Khan chips to Andrew Symonds for a golden duck. Could this be the start of a dramatic comeback? Or am I tempting fate again? Pakistan 95-2, Shehzad 38 Misbah 0

Over 22 Symonds goes for two runs with Pakistan looking like they can bat all day out there . Pakistan 95-0.

Over 21 Hauritz suffers at the hands of Shehzad who plays a drive for four. Pakistan 93-0.


Over 20 Symonds goes for three runs as Pakistan hold a 15 run advantage in comparison to Australia’s 74-3 after 20 overs. The fans are still in voice and Pakistan 89-0, Butt 46 Shehzad 34.

Over 19 It is Hauritz’s turn to get knocked about, this time from Shehzad who scores six off the over. He and Butt are batting Pakistan to victory here, unless there is a total collapse. Pakistan 86-0.

Over 18 Clarke has thrown Andrew Symonds into the attack after seeing the joy Hauritz has been having. However, Butt times his shot through the covers for four. Then he slices through to pint for another boundary as he closes towards his 50. He finishes the over scoring two as Symonds goes for 10 runs. Pakistan 80-0.

Over 17 Hauritz could be vital in this innings, he gains a second maiden and causes Shehzad to edge one on to Haddin’s toes. He is the main threat to Pakistan. Pakistan 70-0.

Over 16 Hopes was having a tight over but Butt appears from nowhere and clunks him in the air and through the covers for four. He then edges a single. Pakistan 70-0.

Over 15 Australia are flat at the minute. Hauritz looks to have shored up the end he is bowling from and seals a maiden as the players break for drinks. At this stage Australia were 63-2. All to play for. Pakistan 63-0.

Over 14 James Hopes is also employed as Australia line their field very defensively. He goes for four runs. Australia really need a wicket. Pakistan 63-0.

Over 13 Nathan Hauritz is called into the attack to slow the ship down. He goes for two runs. Pakistan 59-0.

Over 12 Shehzad scores his second four by chipping over midwicket. The ball bounces twice to mark 50 runs for Pakistan. Clark responds with a short pitch delivery which Shehzad leaves. Clark tries it again but it is wider and Shehzad pulls it across on to the on-side for four. The Pakistan support are in full voice as flags and banners are in full flight. Pakistan 57-0.


Over 11 Australia need to plug these singles as the openers look more and more comfortable out there. Hilfenhaus then gets clipped to the third man boundary for four. Eight runs off the over. Pakistan 48-0.

Over 10 Clark goes for two singles as Pakistan reach 40-0 off 10 overs Par score so far, but the openers look in good nick. The second powerplay is called by Michael Clarke, the Australian captain. Pakistan 40-0, Butt 19 Shehzad 14.

Over 9 Hilfenhaus has changed ends. Butt is a bit more watchful . A leg-bye brings Shehzad to the strikers end who continues to do a brilliant job in pinching singles. Shehzad currently has a strike rate of 75.00 which is spoiling the attack’s hopes of getting any rhythm. Pakistan 38-0.

Over 8 Shehzad scores three off Stuart Clark’s first ball. Then Butt nurdles a single to keep the run rate ticking in Pakistan’s favour. Pakistan 36-0.

Over 7 Lovely stuff from Butt. They are really going after Bracken as he takes two steps down his crease and pummels the ball over the covers. His first boundary was all power, then he times one through the point region. His shots into the off-side are met by cheers as fans run towards to boundary to celebrate a wonderful start. Pakistan 32-0.

Over 6 Hilfenhaus pitches a short one to Butt, who ducks out of the way. He has been hogging the strike so far, facing 27 deliveries. Pakistan 23-0.

Over 5 A little bit better from Bracken. Butt looks in fine fettle on the off-side. The right and left handed opening combination is proving hard for the Australian bowlers to get their line and length right. Pakistan 22-0.

Over 4 Hilfenhaus produces a tight over with Shehzad scoring a single off his bowling. Pakistan 19-0, Butt 7 Shehzad 6.

Over 3 Bracken is having a bit of a problem as Butt scores the first boundary of the innings. Then Butt flashes his shot over second slip for four. The Pakistan supporters are in fine voice as their team make a solid start at the expense of Bracken. Pakistan 18-0.

Over 2 Ben Hilfenhaus is the other Australian opening bowler and Shehzad scores a run off his first ball. A wide and another single follows from the over. Pakistan 10-0.

Over 1 Not the start Nathan Bracken would have wanted as he fluffs his first ball to the boundary for four wides. His second is much better and finds the gloves of Haddin. Butt plays one through midwicket and picks up a couple. Seven off the over and Pakistan make a great start to their target of 199. Pakistan 7-0.


The Australians take to the field with a polite applause around the ground, with the big cheers going to the Pakistan openers Salman Butt and Ahmed Shehzad. Here we go.


Well the lights are on as we await the start of Pakistan's reply in approximately 35 minutes. Have Australia done enough? Who was the pick of the Pakistan bowlers? Have your say below.
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Over 50 Arafat has the honours of the last over. Kamran Akmal concedes three byes as Bracken and Hauritz close in on 200. They run a single off the last ball setting Pakistan 199 to win. I think that Australia have not done enough. Join me later to find out. Australia 198-7. Hauritz 18 NO Bracken 2 No.

WICKET Over 49 Gul is smiling as Hussey swipes a shortish ball to Yasir at square-leg. He exits for 10 as the crowd sense that Australia just have not done enough today. Nathan Bracken comes in. Gul takes three for 38 off eight overs. Australia 190-7.

Over 48 Hurrah! We finally see the first maximum of the day and it is from the bat of Hauritz who plants it over the fence on the on-side. Ajmal goes for 10 runs which also included a three and a single. Australia 187-6, Hussey 10 Hauritz 13.

Over 47 Gul will not mind that he is going for the odd single as each dot ball is being met with cheers from the spectators on the embankments. Three overs to go and Australia need to at least reach 200. Australia 177-6.

Over 46 Ajmal returns for the death and concedes five runs, three to Hussey and two to Hauritz. Australia 173-6.

WICKET Over 45 Gul is costly as Ferguson swats him through the covers for four. He then adds two before ballooning one to Tanveer on the on-side boundary for a simple catch. Ferguson made 41 but he really needed to be there at the end to give Australia a chance. Nathan Hauritz joins Hussey. Australia 168-6, Hussey 5 Hauritz 0.

Over 44 Yasir Arafat continues the good work of the spinners by only going for three. The crowd doing a spot of flag waving and screaming for the cameras as we welcome back Umer Gul. Australia 161-5.

Over 43 Afridi completes his allotted 10 overs with figures of two for 31. It is hard to say which spinner has been the most harmful to Australia. Malik’s figures were the more economical but Afridi has pitched in with the two big wickets of Symonds and Clarke. Australia 158-5.

Over 42 Yasir Arafat returns in place of Ajmal. The Australians look comfortable with pace on the ball and help themselves to five runs including a wide. They surely must be aiming for 200 from here. Australia 155-5.

Over 41 The crowd is swelling as we go into the final ten overs. The majority are waiting patiently for the start of the Pakistan reply. Australia just have not seemed to have got going today with the bat. Afridi chips in with a maiden. Australia 150-5.

Over 40 Ferguson has to take the reins now as he is joined by David Hussey. Ferguson sweeps a four off Ajmal’s second ball and then puts Hussey on strike for the first time after a single. He sees off the final three balls. Australia 150-5, Ferguson 30 Hussey 0.

WICKET Over 39 The 50 partnership is up for Clarke and Ferguson with a Clarke boundary off the bowling of Afridi. Clarke and Ferguson score a run each before Clarke tips one back to Afridi who catches off his own bowling. It was a sterling effort from the captain who goes for 65 of 91 balls. Australia 145-5.

Over 38 The fans shout for a dismissal on Ajmal’s final delivery, Billy Bowden is undeterred. It was a better over for Australia as Clarke and Ferguson trade in singles. Australia 139-4, Clarke 61, Ferguson 24.

Over 37 Malik over steps the mark allowing Clarke to add two runs off a free hit. Clarke seems to be back in free-flow now as Malik is tiring. His last ball of his spell is chipped to the point region and his work is done. Ten overs in a row, two maidens with figures of one for 22. Very impressive. Australia 132-4.

Over 36 Clark runs for two as he closes in on his 50. He glances the next ball to fine leg for two to pick up his fifty. He holds his bat aloft and a ripple of applause from all corners of the ground acknowledge his achievement. Australia 125-4.

Over 35 The fans are drumming on the embankment as we take a much needed break for drinks. Malik goes for two runs as Australia reach 120-4. Clinical bowling. Australia 120-4, Clarke 47, Ferguson 21.

Over 34 Ajmal does his part again and only goes for two. Australia are in need of a very big over. Australia 118-4.

Over 33 Malik concedes three runs. The batsmen spend a long time in the middle of the crease, possibly trying to catch their breath and to disrupt the Pakistani rhythm. Australia 116-4.

Over 32 I must say it is hard to keep up with the over rate here. It is proving to be a brilliant tactic by Younis Khan to get Malik and Ajmal to blitz through their six balls. Ajmal only drops three runs as Australia are powerless to slow them down. Australia 113-4.


Over 31 Malik has just been a rock for Pakistan. He loses a run apiece to Clarke and Ferguson to take his match figures to 11 for one off seven overs. Australia 110-4, Clarke 44, Ferguson 14.

Over 30 Ajmal has the nerve to bowl his suspect doosra in the 30th over. He goes for a couple. Australia 108-4.

Over 29 Malik changes ends and ties down Ferguson to two runs. The Australian middle-order batsman is keen to increase the run rate. Australia 106-4.

Over 28 Then the new batsman greets the arrival of Saeed Ajmal with a boundary through the covers. Australia 104-4, Clarke 42, Ferguson 11.

Over 27 Ferguson puts Afridi to the sword with a four and a single. Australia 98-4.

Over 26 Malik concedes two runs as he continues to impress. Clarke is closing in on his half century with him on 40. Australia 93-4.

WICKET Over 25 Symonds gets motoring, taking six off Afridi, but the leg-spinner gets the last laugh trapping the dangerman lbw for the second match in succession. Symonds goes for 7 as Callum Ferguson is the next man in. Australia 91-4.

Over 24 Symonds gets of the mark at the twelfth time of asking in another tight Malik over. He currently has figures of two for five off four overs. Australia 85-3.

Over 23 Clarke adds a single. The two players cannot get the ball off the strip at times as Pakistan are pegging them back.Australia 83-3.

Over 22 Malik is the purge of Australia at the moment. Symonds is runless after 11 balls and the spinner has two maidens to his name Australia 82-3.

Over 21 It is another eventful Afridi over. Clarke rattles two similar shots for four to the third-man boundary. He also escapes a lbw shout.Australia 82-3, Clarke 37, Symonds 0.

WICKET Over 20 Malik bowls Haddin off his first delivery to swing the match into Pakistan’s favour. Haddin scores 26 off 55 deliveries. He never looked comfortable against the Pakistan spin attack as he tried to play a shot to square-leg but flicks it on to his stumps. Andrew Symonds takes his guard. His innings will be important if Australia are to post a decent target. Australia 74-3.

Over 19 Afridi concedes two runs, one to Clarke off his first delivery and then to Haddin off his last. Australia 74-2.

Over 18 Shoaib Malik takes over from Yasir as Pakistan look to contain Australia with their slower bowlers. Malik concedes three runs, though I am sure he and Younis Khan will be happy if he continues to concede at that run rate. Australia 72-2.

Over 17 Afridi continues from the South Stand end and the Pakistan field disperse. The hosts keep a slip in place. Afridi does some marvellous fielding work off his bowling to save a boundary and to earn a maiden. Australia 69-2.

Over 16 Shot of the day there from Clarke who drives it straight for four. It seems that anything hit with pace and into the gaps will race away for four. Yasir bowls a wide as his previously impressive figures take a pounding. Australia 69-2


Over 15 Shahid Afridi ambles down the last over before a well deserved drinks break. Haddin nips a single leaving Clarke the honours of the facing a nervy ball.Australia 63-2, Haddin 23, Clarke 22

Over 14 You cannot accuse Pakistan of a slow over rate today as Yasir Arafat expresses through his six balls. Haddin scores five off the over. Australia 62-2

Over 13 Anything around his legs and it is away today for Clarke. He races to 22 with two fours. Tanveer decides to bowl around the wicket to combat the Australian’s run spree. Australia 57-2, Haddin 17, Clarke 22

Over 12 Yasir Arafat has been superb until his penultimate ball of the over. He over steps the line. Clarke gets a free-hit and graces it down midwicket past the two fielders for four. Clarke adds a single as Yasir rues a near perfect start. Australia 49-2

Over 11 Younis elects the second Powerplay. Tanveer switches ends and his first four balls are right on the money. His fifth is played to the on-side where a typical mishap sees Clarke gifted two runs. He then adds another single down to fine leg to keep the score ticking Australia 43-2

Over 10 Yasir Arafat replaces Tanveer at the Grandstand end and he pegs the visitors back with an impressive maiden. Australia 39-2

Over 9 Haddin and Clarke chip in with eight off Gul’s tiring fifth over. Haddin now has four boundaries as he moves on to 17 Australia 39-2

Over 8 Clarke runs three down into the covers in the only loose delivery in Tanveer’s over. Pakistan are on top as they rush round to start the next over as Clarke and Haddin quickly do some gardening in the middle. Australia 32-2

WICKET Over 7 The hosts are rocking now as Watson, unpopular with the Pakistan fans, is clean bowled by Gul for a duck. The skipper Michael Clarke joins Haddin in the middle. He then survives a scare as he gets off the mark by flashing one past the slip cordon to third-man Australia 29/2, Haddin 12 Clarke 1


WICKET Over 6 Hopes has gone for 15. The opener tried to sneak a single into the covers but played it straight to the captain Younis Khan who rattled the stumps just before the batsmen made it. Cue mass celebrations from the growing Pakistani contingent. Shane Watson joins Haddin at the crease. Australia 28-1

Over 5 Hopes skies one safe into the mid-wicket region for a couple and then pinches a single as Pakistan mis-fire in field. Australia 28-0

Over 4 Tanveer bowls a wide one down the leg side for his first delivery and has struggled to get off that line throughout, Haddin scores his third boundary of the day. Haddin 12 Hopes 12, Australia 25-0

Over 3 Gul was much more disciplined but he ruins it by delivering a loose fifth ball that gets sent back past him by Hopes who moves on to 12. Australia 20-0.


Over 2 Tanveer, the left arm seamer, is all over the strip in the second over as Haddin helps himself to two boundaries. Australia have made a confident start to the innings. Australia 16-0.


Over 1 So Haddin and Hopes open for Australia with Umar Gul taking the first over. Hopes gets Australia off to a flyer with a straight drive for four and then a couple into the point region. Hopes then retains strike by scoring a single off the final ball. Australia 7-0.

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Michael Clarke won the toss for Australia and immediately elects to bat. He says that the pitch looks pretty dry, and expects it to produce a bit of turn. Younis Khan says he would have batted as well, as the temperature is soaring.

Team news; It's a switch of seamers for both teams Pakistan change Sohail Tanver and Yasir Arafat for Shoaib Akhtar and Rao Iftikhar while Ben Hilfenhaus and Stuart Clark replace Doug Bollinger and Ben Laughlin for the Aussies.

Pakistan: Ahmed Shehzad, Salman Butt, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal, Shahid Afridi, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Sohail Tanvir, Yasir Arafat

Australia: Brad Haddin, Michael Clarke, Shane Watson, Andrew Symonds, David Hussey, Callum Ferguson, James Hopes, Nathan Hauritz, Nathan Bracken, Ben Hilfenhaus, Stuart Clark

Welcome to the third one-day international between Pakistan and Australia from the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

In the last outing in Dubai, Australia levelled the series with a six wicket victory over the hosts to make amends for their meagre showing in the first match where Pakistan claimed a four wicket win on a tricky batting surface.

The Chapal series hangs in the balance with Abu Dhabi taking centre stage with the first of the three internationals at the impressive Zayed Cricket Stadium.

As always with day/night matches, the toss could be very important with many pundits touting that whoever wins will elect to bat first. With the temperature soaring to 40C, I am sure the teams would also hope that they get to field under the lights.

The ground is starting to fill with many opting to bask on the embankments. By the second innings the ground should be rocking as more and more finish work.

Team news and the all important toss will follow shortly.

The big news story surrounding today’s play is that the Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal has been reported by the Australian all-rounder Shane Watson for having a suspect bowling action when he uses his doosra.

Umpires are following up this claim as Ajmal becomes the second off-spinner to be cited after the South African Johan Botha was called up for question in the fourth ODI against Australia in Port Elizabeth earlier this month.

Follow the day's action live here with The National. Play starts at 3pm.

snelmes@thenational.ae