When we talk discipline in cricket, what do we actually mean? one of aspect to judge discipline is number of extras conceded.Today, Australians were disciplined. Giving away only 3 extras (2 legbye & 1 'tight' no-ball) which now makes them only the 24th team ever to pick up all 10 wickets while giving away the least number of extras!Considering this was 5692nd innings off 2846 ODIs played till date, it was a remarkable bowling performance by Aussie side today in this second one day international of Chapal Cup 5 ODI series against Pakistan. Under pressure of play opposition spinners well, Australian side knew first they had to restrict other side for the smallest possible total. therefore, all Kangaroo bowlers put their head down to work today in association with some very inspirational fielding by one and all.Dubai pitch was slow the other day for first onedayer, and it got even more slower today if anything. Short pitched deliveries is another thing Aussie bowlers avoided today which Pakistani bowlers didn't and paid the price.Shahid Afridi, one of most unpredictable/impatient batters world cricket has ever seen, batted with predictability & patience today to make 41 off 40 balls after a slow 112 ball 57 from Salman Butt. Afridi's innings, coupled with Shoaib Akhtar's 14 ball 25 propelled Pakistan past 200 mark otherwise they would have scored even less.James Hopes + Shane Watson put on 77 for second wicket, providing solid foundation to Aussie chase of 208. Although Watson was foxed by a Saeed Ajmal flotter, Hopes continued his good form upto personal score of 48. Man of the Match Andrew Symonds stabilized the middle order with his 58 and captain Michael Clarke saw his team home with an unbeaten 39.Mini Scorecard : Pakistan vs Australia : 2nd ODI, Dubai.Pakistan 207 for 10 wickets in 46.2 oversS Butt 57, S Afridi 41, Younis Khan 28.Australia 208 for 4 wickets in 45.1 oversA Symonds 58, James Hopes 48, M Clarke 39*Full Scorecard : Pak v Aus : 2nd ODI, Dubai : 24 April 2009.Run out confusion happened when both Salman Butt and Shahzad Ahmed ran to the same non-striking end. Shahzad reached the crease fist but umpires (Billy Bowden & Asad Rauf) declared Salman Butt in & Sahzad Ahmed out! This was incorrect from previous ICC rule where the batsman who comes in first into his crease was deemed not out.. as per new rule, if both batters reach same end while stumps are broken at other end, the batsman running to his partner's end is safe while his partner goes out, if he left his crease even for an inch!First win for Australia against Pakistan in UAE. Previous 4 Aus v Pak ODIs in Middle East (all at Sharjah) has brought only losses for team from down under!Shahzad Ahmed made his debut for Pakistan, becoming 172nd player to represent Pakistan in One day international cricket. Although, Shahzad, an opener, lasted for only 7 balls, scoring only 4 (one scoring shot!).
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