Pacer Mitchell Starc claimed five wickets as Australia reduced Pakistan to a paltry total in their first one-day international at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium here on Tuesday night.
Pakistan, despite looking set to post a big total mid-way through their encounter, succumbed to the Australian pacers and were bundled out for 198 in 45.1 overs.
Starc finished with figures of 10-2-42-5, and he ably aided by fellow seamer James Pattinson, who scalped three wickets for a mere 19 runs in 9.1 overs.
In the opening match of the three-match ODI series between the teams, Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat, and skipper Misbah-ul-Haq’s decision took a beating almost immediatly.
Pakistan lost opener Mohammad Hafeez with the score on 20 and lost Azhar Ali eight runs later.
Nasir Jamshed (23) managed score a few quick runs but he too was sent back to the hut soon.
Thereafter, Asad Shafiq (56 runs, 77 balls, 4x2, 6x2) and Umar Akmal (52, 55b, 4x2, 6x2) put on some quick runs, giving Pakistan something to fight when the Australians take to the crease.
Score board
PAKISTAN
Hafeez c D Hussey b Pattinson 4
Jamshed c Wade b Starc 23
Ali c Johnson b Pattinson 5
Shafiq b Starc 56
Misbah b Christian 26
U Akmal c Bailey b Starc 52
K Akmal c Clarke b Starc 4
Afridi c Clarke b Starc 0
Tanvir c D Hussey b Johnson 1
Ajmal b Pattinson 8
Cheema (not out) 2
Extras (LB-13, W-4) 17
Total (all out, 45.1 overs) 198
Fall of wickets: 1-20, 2-28, 3-40, 4-99, 5-160, 6-174, 7-175, 8-180, 9-184.
Bowling: Pattinson 9.1-0-19-3, Starc 10-2-42-5, Clarke 3-0-8-0, D Hussey 2-0-9-0, Johnson 9-0-43-1, Christian 8-0-37-1, Maxwell 4-0-27-0