Afridi’s Six wickets provides victory For Rocks Aussies

 

Shahid Afridi took a career-best 6-38 as Pakistan claimed a four-wicket win over Australia in the first day-night One-Day International in Dubai on Wednesday.
The 29-year-old exposed Australia's weakness against spin as the one-day world champions were all out for just 168 batting first.
He then hit a blistering 24 to help Pakistan chase down the target in 44.1 overs to record Pakistan's second win in their last 11 matches against Australia, and giving them a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
Pakistan 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) to keep a check.
Afridi eventually holed out to mid-on off Ben Hilfenhaus, but Haq and Gul came together at 6-152 to guide the Pakistanis home.
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 Clarke (two) as Australia were on the verge of being shot out for their lowest total of 120 before Hopes hit flurry of strokes.
But Australia have some serious work to do if they are to improve for the second match will be played here on Friday.