Pakistan won in Australia after 12 years

Pakistan won Melbourne ODI Game:

Pakistan beat Australia in 2nd ODI match at Melbourne Cricket Ground on 15th of January 2017. It is the first time that Pakistan has defeated Australia in Australia since Jan, 2005 in any format of cricket. In the absence of permanent ODI captain Azhar Ali, Mohammad Hafeez took responsibility of leading the team on his return to Pakistan national side. Under Hafeez captaincy, Pakistan ended 12 year win drought in Australia. Host batsmen were done by Pakistani spin bowling attack. In this ODI, Pakistan were successful in maintaining pressure on Australian batsman and got them all out in 48.2 overs. Captain Steven Smith was able to get to 60 runs and was top scorer of his side. Rest of batter got to a good start but couldn't convert it to big score.

Imad Wasim, Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Hafeez cornered Australian batsman with their spin attack. Pace attack of Mohammad Amir and Junaid Khan provided necessary early break through. Australia were all out for 220 runs in 48.2 overs which would have been bit disappointing total for the host. Considering Pakistani batting collapse history and their poor chasing record, Smith kept aggressive fielding the entire time and kept tossing the ball to his main bowlers. Pakistani batsman looked bit nervous in the chase but due to low required run rate they never looked out of the game. A boundary with heaps of dot balls kept score board ticking and they were getting close to the required target. Mohammad Hafeez was top scorer on 72 runs, followed by Shoaib Malik on 42. Rest of batsman chipped in with some useful runs. Hafeez was stuck on his finger and it showed on TV camera that his finger was bleeding through band-aid applied by medical staff. Severity of injury is not known at the moment but that would definitely hurting a lot now. 

Pakistan chased required target of 221 in 47.4 overs with 6 wickets remaining. Tourist should be happy with their come back on the tour and leveled ODI series 1-1. Mohammad Hafeez was really active in shuffling players around and setting up the field. He bowled 10 overs for 45 runs but didn't took any wicket. His batting was however the difference between two sides which earned him Player of the Match award. Pakistan won a cricket game in Australia while playing against them after 12 years.

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