Pakistan eased to a 7-wicket win in the Second ODI at Abu Dhabi against Australia. Chasing a competitive target of 249, Pakistan got home with as many as 38 balls to spare to level the 3-ODI Series 1-1.

By BV Swagath

Pakistan eased to a 7-wicket win in the Second ODI at Abu Dhabi against Australia. Chasing a competitive target of 249, Pakistan got home with as many as 38 balls to spare to level the 3-ODI Series 1-1.

Australia batting first after winning the toss were once again troubled by the magical Saeed Ajmal, who claimed 4 for 32 in 10 overs. Mohammad Hafeez also strangled the Aussies with 1 for 28 in 10 overs while Junaid Khan, who came in for Aizaz Cheema, took 3 for 52. For the Aussies, Michael Hussey came up with a neat knock of 61 (from 72 balls with a four and 2 sixes) to rescue them from a precarious position of 87 for 4 in the 24^th over.

Pakistan needing 249 from 50 overs got off to a sound start of 66 for 1 in 11.1 overs. And then got a big partnership of 101 for the 2^nd wicket between Man of the Match – Nasir Jamshed (97 from 98 balls with 11 fours and 2 sixes) and Azhar Ali (59* from 86 balls with 4 fours). Skipper Misbah-ul-Haq with an unbeaten 35* (from 34 balls with 5 fours) finished the match with an unbroken stand of 59 with Azhar Ali for the 4^th wicket. With the series locked at 1-1, the third ODI at Sharjah on the 3^rd will decide the winner between Australia and Pakistan.