OZ Reigns High Over Pak in the Middle-East

The recently concluded one-day competition between Australia and Pakistan was a series of comeback in many sorts. With very little cricketing action for Pakistan in the past one year, they were looking to restore their position in the international arena as a team. Controversial names like Shoaib Akhtar and Andrew Symonds were re-donning their respective national colours after a long absence. Whereas it was challenge for stand-in captain Michael Clarke to revive Australia’s status as a dominant force in the ODI format.

Dubai and Abu Dhabi are also called as the second home of Pakistan cricket and they were the host for the 5-ODI series and a solitary T20 match. Let’s do a brush-up on the entire series where Australia emerged convincing winners over the Asian outfit.

The series started on a blazing note as a wily Shahid Afridi stole the show with a bowling spell of a life time in game one. The leggie spun his web to demolish an inept Aussie batting line-up with six victims and drew first blood by claiming win for Pakistan in the opening match.

It was very much apparent that spin is going to play a big role in the series and Afridi was the man to watch out for Michael Clarke and his brigade.

The OZ batters got their act right in the second game as they played the spin trio of Afridi, Ajmal and Malik magnificently to chase a tricky total. Andrew Symonds proved his worth in the team with a fine all-round show of two wickets and a well-compiled half-century.

The series then moved to Abu Dhabi where the competition was about to heat up with some off-field battles too.

Pakistan’s dreadful batting display in the third ODI was the turning point of the series. In their run chase of 199, they self-destructed themselves from being 95 for no loss to being bundled out for 171. Michael Clarke stepped to the fore as a captain in this game, as he put on board an inspirational show of 66 runs coupled with bowling figures of 3-15.

There was post-match saga too when Pakistani off-spinner Saeed Ajmal was reported for a suspect action. The Pakistan cricket team accused Shane Watson of playing a role in drawing the umpire’s attention towards the bowling action of Ajmal.

Michael Clarke showed every sign of maturity as a leader when he riposted to the controversy saying that the series is being played in good spirit so far and his team will keep it in the same manner.

A spirited Australian team kept their good work on field when they bulldozed Younus Khan’s unit by 8 wickets in the fourth match. Pacer Doug Bollinger’s maiden five-for while Michael Clarke’s fluent century was more than enough to seal the fate of the series for the team down under.

In the final game, Pakistan picked up a consolation win courtesy of a match-winning ton from Kamran Akmal who overshadowed Shane Watson’s hundred during the Australian innings. Nonetheless, it was the Aussies who lifted the Chapal Cup with a 3-2 winning margin.

Michael Clarke came off age and announced himself as the able future successor to Ricky Ponting with this series win. He was rightly adjudged the Man of the Series, for his calm attitude on and off the field. In the post-series conference, Clarke said that the credit for Australian success in the middle-east series goes purely to the team-work whereas a disappointed Younus Khan has urged his side to give him more support.

The series capped off with a single T20 game in Dubai. It was a disappointing end to the tour for the Aussies as they were defeated heavily by a resurgent Pakistan team. Afridi once again proved Australia’s nemesis with three scalps while Umar Gul picked up career-best T20 figures of 4-6 to demolish the opponents for a dismal total of 108. The chase was well guided by Kamran Akmal who counter-attacked with an unbeaten fifty to knock off the paltry target.