Aus vs Pak: David Warner helps Australia seal series

Sydney: David Warner’s 12th one-day international hundred and brisk fifties from Glenn Maxwell and Travis Head set up Australia for an 86-run win over Pakistan in the fourth match on Sunday as the hosts secured an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series.

The diminutive opening batsman smashed 130 for his sixth ton in his last 11 innings at the Sydney Cricket Ground, including his century before lunch in the third test against the same opponents in January. Maxwell then pulverised the Pakistan attack with his 78 off 44 balls and added a quick-fire 100 for the fourth wicket with Head, who hit 51 off 36 balls, as the hosts piled up 353/6 in their 50 overs after winning the toss and opting to bat.

Pakistan needed to pull off the highest successful ODI chase on Australian soil to keep the series alive but lacked the required firepower in their batting and were bundled out for 267 with six overs remaining in their innings. Left-handed opener Sharjeel Khan top-scored for the touring side with his 74 off 47 balls keeping Pakistan in the hunt for the early part of their chase.

Australia’s paceman Josh Hazlewood and leg-spinner Adam Zampa, playing in his first match of the series, picked up three wickets each. It was a forgettable day for Pakistan in the field as they dropped at least five catches and gave away extra runs through misfields and overthrows. Warner put together a breezy 92-run opening stand with Usman Khawaja, who was caught behind for 30 and became the first of seamer Hasan Ali’s five wickets.

Warner, who hit 11 fours and two sixes in his 119-ball knock, added 120 for the second wicket with captain Steve Smith which gave Australia an ideal platform for a huge total. “It’s the home crowd, absolutely love playing here,” Warner said after being presented with the man of the match award. “I was quite slow tonight, but it’s always special to put the boys in a great position.”
    
Scores: Australia 353/6 in 50 overs (D. Warner 130, G. Maxwell 78, T. Head 51, S. Smith 49, Hasan Ali 5/52) bt Pakistan 267 in 43.5 overs (Sharjeel Khan 74, M. Haafeez 40, Shoaib Malik 47, J. Hazlewood 3/54, A. Zampa 3/55).