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Rediff.com  » Sports » Australia complete series whitewash against Pakistan

Australia complete series whitewash against Pakistan

Last updated on: January 31, 2010 20:30 IST
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- Scorecard: Aus vs Pak, 5th ODI

Mike HusseyAustralia completed a series whitewash, beating Pakistan by three-wickets in the fifth and final One-day International in Perth on Sunday.

The victory was however was overshadowed by a ball-tampering incident, involving stand-in skipper Shahid Afridi, and a pitch invasion by the spectators

Afridi was caught on camera biting into the ball before tossing it back to the bowler late in the Australia innings.

Electing to bat first in Perth, Pakistan were reduced to 16-3 before Umar Akmal (67) and Fawad Alam (63) resurrected the innings.

However, a late collapse meant that Australia had to chase a modest 213 to complete a series whitewash.

Australia too were in a spot of bother, but Mike Hussey ensured that the hosts crossed the line with four balls to spare.  

The hosts lost regular wickets themselves on a day when the bowlers generally enjoyed themselves, but Hussey produced an unbeaten 40 amid all the late chaos to see them home.

Skipper Ricky Ponting contributed 55 but a much-changed Australia team was pegged back by the dual spin threat of Afridi and Shoaib Malik.

Earlier, Akmal first shared a crucial stand of 60 with Shoaib Malik, who was run-out by the returning Mitchell Johnson for 36, before Alam helped pick up the pace during an 82-run alliance for the fifth wicket

For Australia Clint McKay (4-35), Ryan Harris (3-44) and Mitchell Johnson (2-42) were the main enforcers.

Iqbal Qasim, the Pakistan chief selector, has reportedly sent in his resignation to the Pakistan Cricket Board in the wake of the team's dismal performance in Australia.

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