- AUS VS PAK, 3RD ODI IN PERTH
Captain Steven Smith scored a scintillating century as Australia defeated Pakistan by seven wickets to go 2-1 in the five-match series at WACA, Perth on Thursday.
Chasing 264 runs to win the match, Australia were in all sorts of trouble after losing openers at the score of 45.
However, Smith along with debutant Peter Handscomb, scored 183 runs for the third wicket to seal a comfortable victory for the hosts.
Smith finished 108 not off 104 balls with the help of 11 fours and one six, whereas Handscomb scored 82 off 84 balls with the help of six fours.
For Pakistan, pacers Mohammad Amir, Junaid Khan and Hasan Ali picked one wicket each.
Earlier, Young Babar Azam played a responsible innings as to take Pakistan to 263 for the loss of seven wickets at the end of their allotted 50 overs.
After being put into bat, the Men in Green had a good start courtesy Sharjeel Khan, who scored a breezy 50 off just 47 balls, with the help of eight fours and one six.
Then Babar, first with veteran all-rounder Shoaib Malik (39) and then with Umar Akmal (39), put Pakistan in a commanding position.
The 22-year-old finished the innings with the top score of 84 off 100 balls, laced with four fours and one six. While doing so, he also equaled Sir Vivian Richards’ world record of being the fastest (21 innings) to reach the 1,000-run mark in ODI cricket.
However, Smith’s men made a grand comeback in the last 10 overs as they gave away just 50 runs and picked up three wickets.
For the Kangaroos, pacer Josh Hazlewood was the pick of the bowlers as he claimed three wickets, whereas part-time off-spinner Travis Head dismissed two batsmen.
Presentation:
Mohammad Hafeez: We missed the opportunity, where we had the platform to score more than 300, but we couldn’t. After a couple of overs, we realized the pitch is of more than 300. This is how the game goes on. We missed chances in the field which cost us in the end. Everyone must lift themselves up. The next two venues suits us and our bowling more and we are hopeful of better results.
Steve Smith: It worked out pretty well. We bowled pretty well to restrict them to 260 odd. It was more like 320 pitch. Bit of luck always helps. But he [Peter Handscomb] is batting really nicely. I love batting at the WACA, and I love getting big runs. Today I think we have put reasonable performance, and hopefully we will carry it on in Sydney in the next match as well.
