Finch ton puts Aus 1-0 up
Aaron Finch's fine century drove Australia to a convincing eight-wicket win over a new-look Pakistan in the first one-day international on Friday.
The Australian skipper scored 116 off 135 balls for his 12th one-day international century that helped his team overhaul the 281-run target in 49 overs on a flat Sharjah stadium pitch.
The win gives Australia the lead in the five-match series and has come on the back of their 3-2 series win in India earlier this month.
Finch's match-winning knock overshadowed Haris Sohail's maiden one-day hundred which helped Pakistan to 280-5 in their 50 overs. The 32-year-old smashed Shoaib Malik for a huge six towards deep mid-wicket to complete his century off 120 balls.
Finch, who knocked four sixes and eight boundaries, added an innings-building 172 runs for the second wicket with Shaun Marsh, who scored an unbeaten 91 off 102 balls with four boundaries and two sixes.With 46 needed Finch became debutant Mohammad Abbas's maiden wicket but Peter Handscomb hit 30 not out to help Marsh cross the line.
Finch and Marsh came together after opener Usman Khawaja fell for 24 to medium pacer Faheem Ashraf.
Pakistan rested six of their key players including regular skipper Sarfraz Ahmed in order to keep them fresh for the World Cup starting in UK from May 30. Left-hander Sohail anchored Pakistan's innings, adding 98 for the third wicket with Umar Akmal who made a 50-ball 48 in his first international match for two years. Sohail took a single to complete his hundred in the last over, finishing with six boundaries and a six.
SCORES IN BRIEF
PAKISTAN: 280 for 5 in 50 overs (Sohail 101 not out, Akmal 48, Masood 40; Coulter-Nile 2-61, Lyon 1-38)
AUSTRALIA: 281 for 2 in 49 overs (Finch 116, Marsh 91 not out, Stoinis 30 not out; Abbas 1-44)
Result: Australia won by 8 wickets
Player-of-the-match: Aaron Finch
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