Wicket-keeper batsman Matthew Wade scored an unbeaten century while all-rounder James Faulkner picked up four wickets to help Australia beat Pakistan by 92 runs in first of the five One-Dayers played at Gabba in Brisbane on Friday.
It was Australia who won the toss and elected to bat first on a bright sunny afternoon at Gabba. The start, however, wasn’t that bright, as Mohammad Amir removed David Warner and Steven Smith early on before Imad Wasim picked up two wickets to reduce hosts to 78 for five by the 17th over.
Things were looking a bit uncomfortable for the hosts until Glenn Maxwell and Mathew Wade took the charge. The pair batted through around 14 overs before the all-rounder was dismissed for a well made 60 runs. James Faulkner couldn’t hold onto his crease for long either, as he was dismissed for just five.
Matthew Wade, who stood there, kept on finding gaps on odd occasions and in the last over of the innings completed his maiden hundred in One Dayers. Australia, at the end of 50 overs were 268 for nine. For Pakistan, seamer Hasan Ali bagged three wickets.
In the reply, Pakistan lost two wickets under first ten overs, while their captain Azhar Ali was retired not out after suffering a torn hamstring on the field.
Youngster Babar Azam helped the visitors closing the run gap but eventually got out on 33. Incoming batsman Umar Akmal scored a mediocre looking 17 before the Australian pacers ripped through the line-up to end up facing the tail.
James Faulkner picked up four wickets while Pat Cummins bagged three to wrap up the Pakistani batting line up for just 176 and helped Aussies take a one-nil lead in the five-match series. For his magnificent hundred, Wade was adjudged the Man-of-the-Match.