Starc rips through Pakistan batting line - claims 5 for 42

In the first Pakistan - Australia ODI at Sharjah cricket stadium Tuesday evening, Pakistan were all out for 198 in just about 45.1 overs owing to tremendous bowling by Starc.

In fact Starc took wickets of all those batsmen who mattered today. He struck Nasir Jamshed at 23. Then he demolished Asad Shafiq at 56. He then took Kamran Akmal for four and despite the fanfare arrival of Boom Boom Afridi in the ground, he was sent back immediately for duck by Starc. The last standing batsman who mattered was Umer Akmal, who also succumbed to Star when he was at 52.

Thus ended the day for Pakistan, as bowlers coming one after the other were easy prey for the Aussies. At 198/9, Saeed Ajmal was given LBW. But when he asked for replay, he was found not to be out. However, after another two added to the total, he was finally bowled by Pattinson for 8.

Pakistan now set a target of 199 for the Aussies. Let us see how the yellow shirts play in a rather less hot mercury of Sharjah night.

Posted in: Aussies,Cricket,ODI,Pakistan,Sharjah,Starc