Pakistan’s 3rd successive defeat hands Aussies series win

ADELAIDE: Pakistan’s series of failures still continues as they lost the five-match series to Australia, being beaten in the first three consecutive One-day Internationals. However, Pakistan showed a good fighting spirit chasing a difficult target of 287 runs in the third ODI here at the Adelaide Oval on Tuesday and at one time it was looking as they can achieve it. But they were all out for 246 runs as Australia won the match by 40 runs. First, Umar Akmal and Fawad Alam set the tempo adding 85 runs for the fifth wicket stand and later Shahid Afridi and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan made 58 for the seventh wicket partnership. Umar Akmal top scored with 59 runs while Shahid Afridi smashed 40 off 29 balls with four boundaries and a six. Other main scorers were opener Salman Butt (34), middle-order batsman Fawad Alam (33) and allrounder Rana Naved (33). The most successful bowler for Australia was seamer Ryan Harris, who captured five wickets for 43 runs, while spinner Clinton McKay bagged three for 48. Harris, who replaced injured Peter Siddle in this match, was later adjudged the man-of-the-match. Shane Watson and spinner Nathan Hauritz took one wicket each. Earlier, Australia batted first after winning the toss and amassed 286 runs for the loss of six wickets in the allotted 50 overs. Opener Shuan Marsh and vice-captain Michael Clarke were the main scorers with 83 and 80 runs, respectively while Michael Hussey (49), opener Shane Watson (33) and Cameron White (28) also made significant contributions to their team’s huge total. Captain Ricky Ponting was the only batsman to be dismissed for a nought. For Pakistan, seamers Rana Naved-ul-Hasan and Umar Gul claimed two wickets each while off-spinner Saeed Ajmal and fast bowler Mohammad Asif took one wicket each. Pakistan made two changes against one by Australia. They brought in Mohammad Asif, recovered from his hand trouble, to replace Mohammad Aamer who is out with the groin injury,. They also got Fawad Alam in for Shoaib Malik.