Afridi dazzles Aussies in Dubai

First One Day International
Dubai
Australia 168 (Shahid Afridi 6-38) v Pakistan 171-6
Pakistan beat Australia by 4 wkts

Shahid Afridi took a career-best 6-38 as Pakistan claimed a four-wicket win over Australia in the opening one-day International in Dubai.

The 29-year-old exposed Australia’s frailties against spin as the reigning world champions were skittled out for just 168.

He then hit a whirlwind 24 to help his side chase down the target in 44.1 overs and record only Pakistan’s second win in their last 11 matches against Australia.

Pakistan made heavy weather of the modest run-chase as they lost opener Salman Butt (five) and captain Younus Khan (11) before Kamran Akmal (48) and Misbah-ul-Haq, who hit an unbeaten 30, avoided any further hiccups.

Akmal hit nine boundaries during his 62-ball knock, while Afridi smashed five boundaries during his 16-ball stay but Australia made regular inroads, dismissing Shoaib Malik (24) and Nasir Jamshed (nine).

Afridi eventually holed out to mid-on off Ben Hilfenhaus, but Misbah and Umar Gul came together to guide their side home.

Collapse

Earlier, Australia had looked well placed to record a big total after opener Brad Haddin (40) and Shane Watson (40) took them to 95-1, before eight wickets fell for just 27 runs.

James Hopes top-scored with 48 not out and added 46 for the last wicket with Hilfenhaus (four) but the spinners had already done the damage.

Afridi ended the stand of 54 for the second wicket by getting Haddin caught off a miscued drive and Watson and Andrew Symonds soon went the same way.

Afridi also dismissed Callum Ferguson (two), Nathan Bracken (one) and Stuart Clark (two) as Australia were on the verge of being shot out for their lowest total of 120 before Hopes averted that with a flurry of strokes.

But Australia have some serious work to do if they are to turn things around in the second of the five-match series to be played on Friday.