Pakistan beat Australia for the first time in 13 matches across all formats as they won the first Twenty20 international by 23 runs at Edgbaston here on Monday.
They were indebted to Umar Akmal’s career-best 64 that helped Pakistan to a total of 167/8 after they’d been 47/4.
Australia, chasing 168 to win, were bowled out for 144 with off-spinner Saeed Ajmal (3/26) and teenage left-arm quick Mohammad Aamer doing the bulk of the damage.
Victory put Pakistan 1-0 up ahead of the second and final Twenty20 here on Tuesday. “It’s been a long wait,” Pakistan coach Waqar Younis said. “But we got into a position to win and this time we finished it off.”
Australia were 85/4 when Michael Hussey came to the crease. They’d been 62/4, chasing 192 when the left-hander’s unbeaten 60 off 24 balls saw Australia to a thrilling three-wicket win over Pakistan in the World Twenty20 semi-final in St. Lucia in May — the last time the teams met.
But Umar Gul, who missed the World Twenty20 through injury, captured the prize wicket of Michael Hussey by bowling him for 18 with a superb reverse-swinging delivery.
Gul then bowled Tim Paine, going across his stumps, to leave Australia needing 31 off 12 balls.
Ajmal finished the match with eight balls to spare by having both Mitchell Johnson and Shaun Tait stumped by wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal.
Oz cricketers pelted
Australia had to face plenty of rowdy scenes from the huge Pakistan contingent which resorted to throwing plastic bottles at the Australian players.
Several bottles were thrown at the Australian team dugout, with vice-captain Cameron White having to intercept one of the missiles before it hit a teammate.
Captain Michael Clarke reported the incident to match officials.
— Agencies
Scores: Pakistan 167/8 in 20 overs (U. Akmal 64) bt Australia 144 in 18.4 overs (Warner 41, Ajmal 3/26, Aamer 3/27)