PAK v AUS, 2nd ODI, Dubai: Symonds stars for Australia (AUS 1:1)
Apr 24, 2009
Andrew Symonds rewarded the faith of the Australian selectors as he led his side to a six-wicket victory over Pakistan in the second one-day international in Dubai.
The all-rounder got the call for this series after undergoing counselling to deal with a series of off-field controversies, but after failing with the bat in the first-game defeat, displayed the talent which keeps Australia coming back for more.
His two wickets for 12 runs helped finish off the Pakistan tail as they made 207, and his brisk half-century carried Australia almost all the way as they reached their target with 29 balls to spare.
After Brad Haddin went for just eight, Shane Watson's 30 and 48 from James Hopes had helped Australia build a solid platform, but Pakistan dismissed the pair within the space of three balls to leave the tourists in a more nervous position at 93 for three when Symonds strode to the crease.
He took a while to play himself in, but after the offer of a free hit against Shoaib Malik was smashed for his first four in the 29th over, Symonds began to express himself a little more and hit Saeed Ajmal for six in the next over.
By the time he was bowled by Shahid Afridi for 58 off 62 balls, the damage had been done with Australia well ahead of the run rate and only 25 runs from their target.
Michael Clarke's unbeaten 39 and 10 from Callum Ferguson saw them home.
PAK v AUS, 2nd ODI, Dubai: Australia 208-4 (45.1 overs) beat Pakistan 207 (46.2 overs) by 6 wickets
PAK v AUS, 2nd ODI, Dubai: Shoaib may miss 2nd ODI
Apr 24, 2009
The second ODI match of five match series between Pakistan and Australian cricket teams will be played on Friday at Dubai cricket stadium while speed-star Rawalpindi Express will most probably miss the match due to viral infection.
Opener Nasir Jamsheed will also be dropped from the 11-member squad owing to injury and new comer youngster energetic Ahmed Shahzad will be placed in the team on for him.
Pakistan trounced World Champs in first ODI with the career-best performance by all-rounder Shahid Khan Afridi with ball and bat, which got Pakistan 1-0 lead in five-match ODI series on Wednesday.
Two changes are expected in team for second ODI as unfit opener Nasir Jamsheed might be replaced by youngster Ahmed Shahzad as skipper Younis Kahn has also hinted at this while Manager national team Yaver Saeed informed media that Shoaib Akhter has been trapped by viral infection whose inclusion will de decided before match.
Stunning and promising new coming fast bowler Sohail Tanveer will likely be included in the squad on for Akhter.
Australian team, on the other hand, is also expected one change as opener Shaun Marsh, having been hit by hamstring injury, is flying back to country.
Cricket Australia (CA) has made Marcos part of team.
The 2009 ICC World Twenty20 is a Twenty20 cricket tournament scheduled to take place in England in June of 2009. It will be the second World Twenty20 and will consist of 12 teams, contested by all Test-playing nations plus qualifiers (Ireland, Netherlands and Scotland)
The Champions Twenty20 League, formed with the official sanction of ICC will kick off in October 2008. Eight domestic teams from four nations will participate. Cricket Australia will partner the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Cricket South Africa (CSA). The champion team in the Champions Twenty20 league will get US $5 million, which is the highest ever prize money for a cricket event.
