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25 overs Australia 91 for 4 (M Hussey 11*, Bailey 3*) v Pakistan
Michael Clarke gave Australia a steady start © AFP
Saeed Ajmal again confounded Australia's batsmen as they struggled to build on their steady start in the Abu Dhabi heat. Michael Clarke had done his best to build a platform after the early loss of Matthew Wade but three wickets in quick succession to Ajmal and Mohammad Hafeez left the Australians wobbling at 91 for 4 at the 25-over mark, with Michael Hussey on 11 and George Bailey on 3.
It was a quick change after they had been 74 for 1 before the departure of David Warner, who never looked comfortable and took 19 deliveries to get off the mark. Warner eventually scrounged together 24 runs from 68 deliveries and looked almost relieved the ordeal was over when he was trapped dead in front by Ajmal.
Hafeez followed by having Clarke lbw for 37 from 54 deliveries, and a review could not save Australia's captain as the replays indicated the ball would have just clipped the top of leg stump having turned from off. In the next over, David Hussey wished the review was still available when Ajmal won an lbw decision when he was yet to score, but again replays suggested the ball had not turned too far and would have hit the stumps.
In amongst the wickets, Michael Hussey looked steady, and was happy to take full advantage of an out-of-character loopy full toss from Ajmal that was dispatched over midwicket for the first six of the innings. Boundaries had been in short supply for the Australians, and Clarke was the only man who really appeared to be in good touch, clipping the ball off his pads and driving well through off.
He had come to the crease at 8 for 1 when Wade drove at a wide ball from Junaid Khan and played on for 7, one ball after he was dropped by Umar Akmal at point. Pakistan had surprised the Australians by opening with pace from both ends and the ploy worked, but it was spin that caused the majority of the trouble as the innings wore on.
Michael Clarke gave Australia a steady start © AFP
Saeed Ajmal again confounded Australia's batsmen as they struggled to build on their steady start in the Abu Dhabi heat. Michael Clarke had done his best to build a platform after the early loss of Matthew Wade but three wickets in quick succession to Ajmal and Mohammad Hafeez left the Australians wobbling at 91 for 4 at the 25-over mark, with Michael Hussey on 11 and George Bailey on 3.
It was a quick change after they had been 74 for 1 before the departure of David Warner, who never looked comfortable and took 19 deliveries to get off the mark. Warner eventually scrounged together 24 runs from 68 deliveries and looked almost relieved the ordeal was over when he was trapped dead in front by Ajmal.
Hafeez followed by having Clarke lbw for 37 from 54 deliveries, and a review could not save Australia's captain as the replays indicated the ball would have just clipped the top of leg stump having turned from off. In the next over, David Hussey wished the review was still available when Ajmal won an lbw decision when he was yet to score, but again replays suggested the ball had not turned too far and would have hit the stumps.
In amongst the wickets, Michael Hussey looked steady, and was happy to take full advantage of an out-of-character loopy full toss from Ajmal that was dispatched over midwicket for the first six of the innings. Boundaries had been in short supply for the Australians, and Clarke was the only man who really appeared to be in good touch, clipping the ball off his pads and driving well through off.
He had come to the crease at 8 for 1 when Wade drove at a wide ball from Junaid Khan and played on for 7, one ball after he was dropped by Umar Akmal at point. Pakistan had surprised the Australians by opening with pace from both ends and the ploy worked, but it was spin that caused the majority of the trouble as the innings wore on.