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Avenged Pakistan scores upset win over Australia
Posted: Sunday January 09, 2000 03:57 PM
BRISBANE, Australia (AP) -- Shoaib Akhtar returned from exile Sunday to snare three wickets and inspire Pakistan to an upset 45-run win against Australia in the tri-nation limited-overs series opener at the Gabba. The world champion Australians, on seven successive test victories, restricted Pakistan to 184 for eight but after racing to 60 for one in reply, crumbled to 139 all out in 39 overs. The Australians may be without vice-captain Shane Warne for their next match Wednesday against India in Melbourne. Warne faces tests Monday to determine the severity of a side muscle injury suffered while bowling his ninth over. Team physiotherapist Errol Alcott said the leg spinner's chances of playing against India were "pretty slim." "It's ugly enough to restrict his movements but we won't know until we do some scans tomorrow," said Alcott. Abdur Razzaq was the main striker for Pakistan, snaring four wickets for 23 off eight overs. Michael Bevan, who was promoted to No. 4 in the Australian order, remained unbeaten on 31. Akhtar was rushed back into the Pakistan lineup after being cleared to play by the International Cricket Council, which gave him a temporary reprieve from the suspension it imposed on him for a suspected illegal bowling action. The fast bowler was out of action as his teammates slumped to three successive losses last week but was instrumental as Pakistan avenged last year's World Cup final loss to Australia at Lord's. Winning captain Wasim Akram said the return of Akhtar was a "big bonus for us." "He arrived at the last minute, he hasn't really done anything for the last six days but he ran in and bowled his heart out," he said. After winning the toss and electing to bat, Pakistan slumped to 34 for five before a lower-order recovery was completed by Saqlain Mushtaq and Waqar Younis, who added 56 for the ninth wicket including 18 off the final over. Akhtar didn't get a bat but struck with the ball, removing dangermen Ricky Ponting and Steve Waugh on successive balls to nullify the powerful top order. Razzaq also wreaked havoc among the Australian batsmen, curbing a 53-run partnership between Adam Gilchrist and Ricky Ponting to turn the game in Pakistan's favor. Australia lost its first wicket with the score at seven when Mark Waugh was adjudged lbw to Waqar. Razzaq had Gilchrist caught behind for 27, with the total at 60, as Australia proceeded to crash, losing five wickets within seven runs. Ponting was Akhtar's first victim, caught at second slip by Mohammad Wasim for 32 after slashing outside off stump. Steve Waugh was out next ball without scoring when he was trapped in front lbw, leaving Akhtar on a hat trick. Damien Martyn survived the hat trick ball but only added four runs before he drove a delivery from Razzaq to Ijaz Ahmed in the covers. Andrew Symonds was out without scoring next ball when he edged Razzaq to Mohammad Wasim at second slip, while Brett Lee only managed two runs before he was clean bowled by Razzaq and Australia was suddenly reeling at 79 for seven. Akhtar struck again to end a 33-run stand between Adam Dale and Michael Bevan for the eighth wicket when Dale got a leading edge to a slower ball and hit a straight-forward catch to Saeed Anwar. Warne, who was battig with a runner due to the injury, scored nine before he was caught by Ijaz of Waqar's bowling to make the total 132 for nine. Bevan ran out of partners when Glenn McGrath was run out without scoring. After losing his first game of the summer, skipper Steve Waugh said the Australian were "allowed one bad day in a year and I think this was it." Earlier, Dale and McGrath removed the openers and Symonds snared three wickets in three overs to reduce Pakistan to 34 for five. The Queensland allrounder removed Razzaq, Yousuf Youhana and Ijaz Ahmed, all caught behind by Gilchrist after chasing wide balls outside off stump, in consecutive overs. Pakistan returns to the Gabba Monday to play arch-rival India.
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