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20 overs Australia 168 for 7 (Warner 59, Watson 47, Ajmal 2-19) v Pakistan
The 111-run stand between David Warner and Shane Watson was a record opening partnership for Australia in Twenty20 internationals © Associated Press
David Warner and Shane Watson blasted the highest opening partnership by an Australian pair in Twenty20 internationals as Pakistan were set 169 for victory in the final match in Dubai. Warner and Watson both found their six-hitting rhythm and put on 111 for the first wicket, beating Australia's record opening stand of 104, although Pakistan fought back with a string of wickets that kept the target from ballooning out of control.
In the end, Pakistan's bowlers could be pleased with their efforts as Australia finished at 168 for 7, having lost all seven wickets for 57 following the opening partnership. But despite the work of the bowlers, again led by Saeed Ajmal with 2 for 19 from his four overs, Pakistan still needed their highest successful chase in a Twenty20 international, their best win batting second having been the 165 they chased against Australia in the ICC World T20 in Johannesburg in 2007.
Their problem was that Warner and Watson clicked for the first time in the series. Pakistan's fast bowlers helped them out with a few length deliveries that were dispatched to the boundary or over it early in the innings, and three sixes thumped over midwicket by Watson in one over from Shoaib Malik really got the Australian innings moving.
Warner followed that with three sixes off Raza Hasan in the next over, and then showcased his switch-hitting ability by changing to a right-handed position and slogging Ajmal over the left-hander's cover for six. He raced to his half-century from 28 deliveries and Watson seemed destined for a fifty as well, until he hooked Yasir Arafat's slower bouncer to short fine leg for 47 from 32 balls.
Arafat, included at the expense of Sohail Tanvir, also got rid of Warner, who skied a catch for 59 from 34 balls. After that, the Australians couldn't find the same sort of momentum, although Glenn Maxwell, promoted to No.3, struck one hefty six in his 27 from 20 balls before he slog-swept Hasan to deep midwicket.
Only one other batsman managed a boundary: Michael Hussey, who scored 12 from 14 balls. It was to Pakistan's credit that they ran through the middle order so efficiently. George Bailey was bowled for 3 when he tried to slog-sweep Ajmal; Cameron White was caught at long-on off Umar Gul for a four-ball duck; and Hussey was bowled in Ajmal's last over.
Daniel Christian was the final man out, caught behind off Gul (2 for 30) in the final over, and the Australians finished with Matthew Wade on 6 and Pat Cummins on 1. Whether their 168 was enough remained to be seen, but they had at least given themselves a good chance of avoiding a clean sweep.
The 111-run stand between David Warner and Shane Watson was a record opening partnership for Australia in Twenty20 internationals © Associated Press
David Warner and Shane Watson blasted the highest opening partnership by an Australian pair in Twenty20 internationals as Pakistan were set 169 for victory in the final match in Dubai. Warner and Watson both found their six-hitting rhythm and put on 111 for the first wicket, beating Australia's record opening stand of 104, although Pakistan fought back with a string of wickets that kept the target from ballooning out of control.
In the end, Pakistan's bowlers could be pleased with their efforts as Australia finished at 168 for 7, having lost all seven wickets for 57 following the opening partnership. But despite the work of the bowlers, again led by Saeed Ajmal with 2 for 19 from his four overs, Pakistan still needed their highest successful chase in a Twenty20 international, their best win batting second having been the 165 they chased against Australia in the ICC World T20 in Johannesburg in 2007.
Their problem was that Warner and Watson clicked for the first time in the series. Pakistan's fast bowlers helped them out with a few length deliveries that were dispatched to the boundary or over it early in the innings, and three sixes thumped over midwicket by Watson in one over from Shoaib Malik really got the Australian innings moving.
Warner followed that with three sixes off Raza Hasan in the next over, and then showcased his switch-hitting ability by changing to a right-handed position and slogging Ajmal over the left-hander's cover for six. He raced to his half-century from 28 deliveries and Watson seemed destined for a fifty as well, until he hooked Yasir Arafat's slower bouncer to short fine leg for 47 from 32 balls.
Arafat, included at the expense of Sohail Tanvir, also got rid of Warner, who skied a catch for 59 from 34 balls. After that, the Australians couldn't find the same sort of momentum, although Glenn Maxwell, promoted to No.3, struck one hefty six in his 27 from 20 balls before he slog-swept Hasan to deep midwicket.
Only one other batsman managed a boundary: Michael Hussey, who scored 12 from 14 balls. It was to Pakistan's credit that they ran through the middle order so efficiently. George Bailey was bowled for 3 when he tried to slog-sweep Ajmal; Cameron White was caught at long-on off Umar Gul for a four-ball duck; and Hussey was bowled in Ajmal's last over.
Daniel Christian was the final man out, caught behind off Gul (2 for 30) in the final over, and the Australians finished with Matthew Wade on 6 and Pat Cummins on 1. Whether their 168 was enough remained to be seen, but they had at least given themselves a good chance of avoiding a clean sweep.