Pakistan set 256 by Aussies in 1st ODI

SHARJAH: Australia were contained in final overs by Pakistan bowlers after Steven Smith smashed a brilliant century against Pakistan in the first One-day International here at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

Decided to bat first after captain George Bailey won the toss, Australia made a disastrous start losing Auron Finch off very first ball of the innings from fast bowler Mohammad Irfan.

However, David Warner and Steve Smith rescued them and added 86 runs for the second wicket when Warner was dismissed by leg-spinner Shahid Afridi. He made 43 runs but later nobody could give support to Smith who was fighting alone against Pakistani attack led by Afridi who took three wickets for 46.

Smith was the sixth batsman to be out but not before completing his first hundred in one-day international cricket. He scored 101 off 115 balls with six fours and two sixes.

Australia ended up the innings with 255 for eight in fifty overs.

Seamer Wahab Riaz got two wickets while Irfan, debutant spinner Zulfiqar Babar and Fawad Alam took one wicket each.