DUBAI: Kamran Akmal celebrated his Twenty20 comeback with a fluent 31 to guide Pakistan to a fine seven-wicket victory over Australia in the first match of Bank Alfalah Presents Cool & Cool T20 Cup at Dubai Sports Cricket Stadium on Wednesday night.
Kamran hit the lone six of the match.Chasing a target of 89 runs, Imran Nazir gave Pakistan a flying start in the company of his captain Mohammad Hafeez.Both the openers put on 30 runs before Hafeez (17) was undone by Patrick Cummins.Nasir Jamshed replaced his captain in the middle and dispatched the second ball he faced to the boundary.Pakistan fielded well, bowled well and their batting was also up to the mark.
Pakistan lost their second wicket when Jamshed was cleaned up by Bin Hilfenhaus.Watson got breakthrough by inducing a false stroke from Nazir (22).Nazir put on 24 runs in the third wicket partnership with Kamran.Pakistan restricted Australia to a paltry 89 in 19.3 overs.Sohail Tanvir got three wickets while Saeed Ajmal, debutant Raza Hassan and Mohammad Hafeez shared two wickets each.Pakistan won the toss and asked Australia to bat and it proved a right decision by Hafeez.
Australia started cautiously and lost their first wicket when Shane Watson was declared lbw against Umar Gul. Comeback boy Watson could make only eight runs off 11 deliveries. Australia suffered the second jolt when Michael Hussey, the hero in Sharjah, was caught by Hafeez off Sohail Tanvir.Opener David Warner, who struggled in ODIs, failed again to give Australia a good start. He departed after making 22 runs and was caught and bowled by Hafeez.Australia reached 50 in the 10th over as George Bailey and David Hussey were busy repairing the innings. – Khaleejnews
