ADELAIDE: Australia on Thursday thrashed Pakistan at the Adelaide Oval, winning their 4th One Day International (ODI) match in the ongoing five-match series by 57 runs.
Australia piled on the runs, setting up an unassailable target of 369/7 for Pakistan, which ended the game with 312 on 49.1 overs.
Things seemed to go downhill for Pakistan as Azhar Ali departed for six in the third over but Sharjeel Khan and Babar Azam hold fort for Pakistan to tackle the daunting task of chasing 369 runs that Australia put on the board.
In the first innings, Junaid Khan and Hasan Ali took two wickets apiece while Mohammad Amir and Wahab Riaz had one each to their name.
As expected, Australia dominated with just one man down till the 41st over, after which the wickets tumbled but the damage was done.
Opener David Warner shone as he blasted his carer-best 178 runs. The classic knock included 19 fours and five sixes.
Dropped on zero and 130, Warner made Pakistan pay for their poor catching by his 128-ball assault at the Adelaide Oval, where the hosts will look to wrap up the series by a 4-1 margin.
The in-form 30-year-old set the tempo in the record 284-run stand with stop-gap opening partner Head, who went on to make 128, his maiden one-day century.
After Australia elected to bat, Warner could have been dismissed from the first ball of the match but an airborne Azhar Ali spilled the edge at second slip off Mohammad Amir.
Some 32 overs later, Amir was the culprit as he floored a simple chance after Warner had gone after Hasan Ali, with the clanger leaving Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur shaking his head in dismay in the dressing room.
Warner went into the match with five centuries in his last 10 one-day innings and the diminutive left-hander brought up his sixth of the season in just 78 balls.
Having bettered his previous career-best of 178, made in that match against Afghanistan, Warner was in sight of the 200-mark when he started cramping.
The opener was eventually caught at point off Junaid Khan who dismissed home captain Smith in the same over.
Head, who was content to play second fiddle to Warner, hit three sixes in his 137-ball knock and was one of five Australia wickets to fall in the final six overs of their innings.
His opening counterpart Travis Had was not far behind with 128 runs to his name.
Australia faced their first loss when they stood at 284 runs and Warner was caught by Baber Azam on Junaid’s ball.
The Aussies had won the toss and decided to bat first.
The home side lead the series 3-1 after winning in Sydney on Sunday to wrap up the series.
Australia made one change from Sunday, resting opening batsman Usman Khawaja and bringing in all-rounder James Faulkner.
Travis Head will open the batting for the home side.
Pakistan have recalled pace bowler Wahab Riaz, with left arm spinner Imad Wasim missing out.
