Razzaq heroics sink Australia

A superb allround performance from Abdul Razzaq gave Pakistan their first win over Australia for the summer, beating the host nation by three wickets at the WACA ground in Perth. Razzaq took 4/53 with the ball, following that with a disciplined unbeaten 63 at better than a run-a-ball to shepherd Pakistan to victory.

After setting up a substantial but not overwhelming total of 10-265 from their 50 overs, Australia failed to prevent Razzaq and Yousuf Youhana (72) from leading a successful chase. Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee continued their successful opening combination, striking three early wickets to put Pakistan on the defensive. The experienced combination of Inzamam and Youhana went some way to resurrecting the innings, reviving it from 3-49 with a 74-run stand. Inzamam looked to continue his strong form thus far in the ODI series, but fell LBW attempting to sweep Brad Hogg on 29, to tip the balance once again.

Shoaib Malik lasted only one delivery before a tight single went astray, as Andrew Symonds outran Malik before kicking the ball onto the stumps to effect a runout. At 5-125 Pakistan could easily have collapsed, but Youhana and Razzaq pushed the score along sensibly to ensure a chance of victory. Youhana made an unhurried but boundary-laden half-century, hitting seven fours and a six before miscuing Symonds on 72 from 90 deliveries. His dismissal with the score at 170 left Pakistan needing a further 96 at better than a run-a-ball.

Pakistan fortunately had the right men at the crease to dramatically improve the run-rate, particularly an in-form Shahid Afridi who resumed his downunder six-hitting campaign. His cameo of 30 included three fours and two sixes - huge hits off the pacemen over mid-off and mid-on - and lasted just 13 deliveries before he was suckered by a Brett Lee bouncer. The brief innings nonetheless pushed the required rate to less than six an over, allowing Razzaq to guide the tail home. A couple of late sixes from Razzaq did much to alleviate the pressure, hitting Symonds over midwicket and McGrath over long leg in the dying overs. Naved-ul-Hasan provided excellent company as well, dashing ones and twos, before hitting Brett Lee for consecutive fours to seal the win with 2.4 overs to spare. His unbeaten 20 was his highest career score.

Earlier in the day after winning the toss, Australia's innings was bolstered, unsurprisingly, by an unbeaten Michael Clarke half-ton, hitting 75 from 75 balls. Australia found themselves in a familiar situation at 8-192, before lifting themselves to a competitive total as they had done against the West Indies earlier in the week. Adam Gilchrist provided the greatest top-order contribution with 47 from 46, albeit aided by two dropped catches. Hayden's disastrous series continued, top-edging Naved-ul-Hasan to be well-caught by Afridi for just six, taking his series tally to a miserable 44 runs from 5 innings. Ponting, Martyn and Symonds all reached the 20's but were unable to consolidate, thanks largely to the bowling of Razzaq and Afridi. It was left to Clarke to boost the innings total to a defendable one, and he did that in style, hitting five fours and a six with support from Lee (22), to lift Australia to its eventual 265, with McGrath bowled by Naved-ul-Hasan off the last delivery. Razzaq chipped in with a further two late wickets to take his match tally to 4/53.

The match will have no bearing on finals qualification, as the winner of Tuesday's West Indies/Pakistan match will meet Australia in the finals. Pakistan will nonetheless be heartened by their first victory against Australia for the summer, and will take this confidence into their crucial clash with the West Indies.

Score Summary:

AUSTRALIA 265 all out from 50 overs
MJ Clarke 75* (75), AC Gilchrist 47 (46); Abdul Razzaq 4/53 (10), Shahid Afridi 2/45 (10)

PAKISTAN 7 for 268 from 47.2 overs
Yousuf Youhana 72 (90), Abdul Razzaq 63* (61); GD McGrath 2/27 (9)

Result: Pakistan win by three wickets
Points: Pakistan 5, Australia 1

Man of the Match: Abdul Razzaq (4/53 & 63*)

Posted by Adam