After 12 years of prolonged misery Down Under against the hosts, Pakistan finally ended their long-running hoodoo with an impressive six-wicket victory over Australia to level the One-Day International series at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday (December 15).
Chasing 221, after Australia was bowled out in the 49th over, Pakistan wobbled at times but veteran batsman Shoaib Maik (42 not out from 52 balls) was composed and guided his team to the victory total with 14 balls to spare. Umar Akmal (18 from 20) provided some lusty blows at the death to ensure there was no late collapse.
It was the first time Pakistan has defeated Australia in Australia since an ODI victory at the WACA in January of 2005, ending 16 straight losses across the formats. Conquering another hoodoo, Pakistan defeated Australia at the MCG for the first time since 1985 after nine straight losses at the venue.
In a throwback to ODI cricket played in a bygone era, batting was surprisingly tricky on a MCG pitch which was two-paced and conjured a hint of movement. However, contrary to previous efforts during a disappointing tour, Pakistan looked assured and reached 1 for 140 after 30 overs but, unsurprisingly for such a mercurial team, they made hard work of it
Mohammad Hafeez (72), the stand-in captain, and Babar Azam (34) combined for a second-wicket partnership of 72 to continue Pakistan’s strong start before both batsmen fell within two overs as nightmarish apparitions of collapses from yesteryear reared.
On a slow pitch, Pakistan’s batting was suddenly paralysed after the loss of the dual wickets and an epic spiral looked likely when Malik was caught behind on 10 but the decision was overturned with replays confirming it had hit his pad.
Runs were at a trickle but Australia couldn’t make the most of half-chances as Malik used all of his experience to steer Pakistan to a much needed breakthrough victory. Spearheads Mitchell Starc (2 for 45 from 10 overs) and Josh Hazelwood (0 for 32 from 10) were typically tireless but could not rescue Australia, whose wobbly top-order once again suffered a collapse.
Earlier, after winning the toss, Australia’s batting struggled from the get go losing 3 for 41 within nine overs. Hours after Australia’s Test squad for India was announced, the team tinkered with the batting order with Usman Khawaja recalled and thrust into the opener’s spot, while allrounder Mitch Marsh was surprisingly elevated to No. 4.
Khawaja and Marsh, both headed to India, fell cheaply with the Western Australian falling first ball to a loose shot as his worrying slump with the bat continued. Pakistani pacemen Mohammad Amir (3 for 47) and Junaid Khan (2 for 40) were dangerously conjuring movement and sharp bounce from a MCG pitch surprisingly favourable to the bowlers.
Leading from the front, Steve Smith (60 off 101) – who was coming off successive ODI ducks – was Australia’s fulcrum and he combined in handy middle-order partnerships with Travis Head (29), Glenn Maxwell (23) and Matthew Wade (35) but couldn’t unshackle Pakistan’s probing bowling.
Taking the reins with Azhar Ali injured, Hafeez showcased astute captaincy and deftly mixed his bowlers to frustrate and befuddle Australia’s batting. Even Smith, one of the best batsmen in the world, was unable to find any fluency as Australia’s innings lost momentum and fell away at the backend. Frustrated by the situation, Smith played on in an ungainly heave in the 43rd over as the wheels started to come off the Australian innings.
Briefly, it appeared Australia was going to engineer a fightback much like in Brisbane when Wade, the match-winner of the opening ODI, received a reprieve when he was on three after an overturned decision on a caught behind. Similarly, Wade successfully reviewed a decision in the early stages of his unbeaten century at the Gabba but was unable to cash in on this occasion, as Australia’s lower-order fell apart resulting in a sub-par total that proved not enough.
After a one-sided opening match, fuelling fears of another lopsided series between the teams, Pakistan has lit a fuse under the five-match affair, which shifts to Perth for the third ODI on Thursday (January 19).
Pakistan 4 for 221 (Hafeez 72, Malik 42*) beat Australia 220 (Smith 60, Amir 3-47) by six wickets
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