Fawad, Umar help Pakistan reach 212 in 5th ODI

PERTH: Pakistan managed to score 212 runs after an early collapse in the fifth and the final One-day International against Australia here at the WACA ground on Sunday.

After winning the toss, Shahid Afridi, captaining in place of injured Mohammad Yousuf, elected to bat first but Pakistan made a disastrous start losing three early wickets for just 16 runs.

They lost both openers, Salman Butt and Khalid Lateef, before opening the account and then one-down batsman Younis Khan for three runs when their score was just 16.

However, Shoaib Malik (36), Umar Akmal (67) and Fawad Alam (63) rescued the team from a total collapse and helped in reaching a competitive total of 212 runs in 48.3 overs.

For Australia, seamers Clint McKay captured four wickets for 35, Ryan Harris three for 44 and Mitchell Johnson two for 42.

Now, what Pakistan badly need is to stop the Aussies from achieving the 213-run target for avoiding a second five-match series whitewash. The first one was made by the West Indies in their home series against Pakistan in 1987-88.

Wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal and off-spinner Saeed Ajmal are also not playing today and these three players were replaced by opening batsman Khalid, wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed and allrounder Malik

On the other side, Australia made two changes: Michael Clarke and Peter Siddle are out with slightly sore backs and their places were taken by Adam Voges and Mitchell Johnson.

Teams
Australia: Shaun Marsh, Brad Haddin, Ricky Ponting (captain), Cameron White, Adam Voges, Michael Hussey, James Hopes, Nathan Hauritz, Clint McKay, Ryan Harris, Mitchell Johnson.

Pakistan: Salman Butt, Khalid Lateef, Younis Khan, Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal, Fawad Alam, Shahid Afridi (captain), Sarfraz Ahmed, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, Rao Iftikhar Anjum, Mohammad Asif.