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Pakistan set for series win as Akhtar sizzles
BRISBANE: Pakistan were poised for victory as Australia stumbled to 103 for six from 25 overs in reply to Pakistan's 256 for seven in the third and deciding one-day international on Wednesday. The world's fastest bowler Shoaib Akhtar thrilled the Brisbane crowd with his explosive pace, removing Australia's entire middle order as he grabbed 4-16 in six overs.
Australia were well-placed at 44 for one after 10 overs but Akhtar blasted through Ricky Ponting's defences with the last ball of his first over, removing the Australia captain for 14.
Opener Adam Gilchrist was run out for 20 two deliveries later and left-hander Darren Lehmann lost his leg stump to Akhtar for a first-ball duck in the 13th over.
Damien Martyn (10) was caught at third man off Akhtar who also had Michael Bevan (10) caught behind. Australia's not out batsmen Shane Watson (14) and Shane Warne (9), who had added 20 for the seventh wicket, faced a tough task with only the tail to come and a required run-rate of 6.16.
Earlier, Pakistan relied heavily on half-century partnerships for the first and eighth wickets for their competitive total, losing seven for 74 in between.
Imran Nazir, who top-scored with 66 from 73 balls, and Saeed Anwar (26) shared an opening partnership of 94 but their dismissals in the 20th and 23rd overs triggered a middle-order collapse.
Pakistan were 168 for seven before Yousuf Youhana and Wasim Akram added 88 in the closing 10.3 overs for the
eighth wicket. Youhana anchored the innings from number three with 61 not out while Akram was unbeaten on 49 from 32 balls.
Leg-break bowler Warne, who took 2-42, removed Inzamam-ul-Haq lbw for 13 in the 32nd over as Pakistan lost three wickets for six runs to crash to 139 for five. Azhar Mahmood (6) and Shahid Afridi (14) were the sixth and seventh wickets to fall both run out after mix-ups with Youhana.
Glenn McGrath (0-48) then conceded 23 runs in a spectacular 49th over including consecutive sixes over long-off and long-on by Akram who was in a mood to celebrate.
The former Pakistan captain equalled ex-India captain Mohammad Azharuddin's record of 334 one-day international matches.
June 19, 2002 - 0805 GMT
Pakistan 256-7 v Australia
BRISBANE: Pakistan scored 256 for the loss of
seven wickets off their 50 overs in the third and
final one-day international against Australia here
at Gabba on Wednesday.
June 19, 2002 -
Pakistan make solid start with 113-2
BRISBANE: Pakistan made a solid start to the third and deciding one-day international against Australia on Wednesday, reaching 113 for two from their first 25 overs.
Imran Nazir and Saeed Anwar, who shared an opening stand of 94, survived tight spells by Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie but struggled to advance the scoring rate early in the innings.
Pakistan won the toss and after 10 overs the visiting side had only 22 runs on the board. Nazir and Saeed then feasted on some loose bowling from Shane Watson and Andrew Bichel who conceded 52 runs from six overs between them.
Left-hander Saeed was given out lbw to leg-break bowler Shane Warne for 26 in the 20th over, although television replays indicated the ball would have missed off-stump.
Nazir, who hit a delightful 66 off 73 balls with six fours and two sixes, was caught by Warne at backward square off the bowling of left-arm spinner Darren Lehmann in the 23rd over at 108 for two.
All-rounder Lehmann left the ground two overs later after suffering a cheekbone injury while fielding in his follow-through. Inzamam-ul-Haq was not out three and Yousuf Youhana was unbeaten on six for Pakistan, although Inzamam appeared to give an edge off the bowling of Warne and was given not out.
June 19, 2002 - 0445 GMT
Pakistan decide to bat first
BRISBANE: Pakistan captain Waqar Younis won the toss and elected to bat first in the third and deciding limited-overs international against Australia on Wednesday.
Australia made two changes, recalling fast bowler Jason Gillespie and opening batsman Matthew Hayden for Brett Lee and Jimmy Maher.
Pakistan named an unchanged side after levelling the series with a two-wicket win in Melbourne on Saturday.
Australia: Ricky Ponting (captain), Matthew Hayden, Adam Gilchrist, Damien Martyn, Darren Lehmann, Michael Bevan, Shane Watson, Shane Warne, Andrew Bichel, Jason Gillespie, Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee (12th man).
Pakistan: Waqar Younis (captain), Saeed Anwar, Imran Nazir, Yousuf Youhana, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Younis Khan, Azhar Mahmood, Rashid Latif, Shahid Afridi, Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar, Shoaib Malik (12th man).
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