SHARJAH — Contrasting half-centuries from Mike Hussey and Glenn Maxwell led Australia to a series-winning three-wicket victory over Pakistan in the third and final One-Day International in Sharjah Tuesday. Man-of-the-match Hussey used all his guile with clever reverse-sweeps and deflections as well as the odd lusty blow over midwicket to spearhead his side's pursuit of 245 for victory after Pakistan had made 244 for seven. He did have a slice of luck when Pakistan chose not to review a leg before wicket appeal off the bowling of Saeed Ajmal before he had scored, but given that good fortune he went on to hit seven fours and a six in a 72-ball stay at the crease. Although bowled by paceman Junaid Khan with 19 runs still required, his sixth-wicket partnership of 67 from just nine overs with Maxwell (56 not out) ensured Australia was well ahead of the required rate. Maxwell, who faced only 38 balls and hit four fours and three sixes, was dropped on 34 on the deep midwicket boundary by Azhar Ali off the bowling of Junaid and went on to seal Australia's success with an on-driven six off the same bowler. The defeat extended Pakistan's poor recent record in ODI series against Australia, having now gone 10 years since taking a 2-1 series win in Australia in 2002. “It's a very special feeling and a very special win after our (4-0 series) defeat in England,” Australia captain Michael Clarke told reporters. The series has been played with 6 P.M. starts to counter the extreme heat of summer daytime temperatures in the United Arab Emirates. But temperatures never dipped below 30 degrees Celsius, even late at night, although that and the late hours of play did not seem to bother the crowds, who turned up in significant numbers to support the matches. “We have to improve in every department,” Pakistan captain Misbahul Haq said, lamenting his team's third straight series loss. Pakistan earlier squandered a dream start by openers Mohammed Hafeez (78) and Nasir Jamshed (48), who added 129 for the first wicket from 27 overs. But when Jamshed fell, caught behind by Wade off Mitchell Johnson (2-33), the innings gradually lost momentum. Shahid Afridi, fit again after missing the second match with a back injury, was pushed up to number three to try and build on that fine start but he made only seven before lofting Johnson to Maxwell at deep midwicket. When Hafeez missed an attempted sweep at Clarke to fall lbw, Pakistan had lost 3-26 in six overs and although Asad Shafiq (27) and captain Misbah (25) tried to repair the damage, they were never able to break free. Man-of-the-series Mitchell Starc (4-51) was again the pick of Australia's attack. The sides will face each other in three Twenty20s in Dubai starting Wednesday. — Reuters
