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02-May-2009 22:16:00 GMT
Australia vs Pakistan, 2009, UAE

Pakistan v Australia 5th ODI, Abu Dhabi, May 03 - Preview

Abu Dhabi: All-rounder Shahid Afridi's calf injury may rule him out of Pakistan's remaining matches against Australia including the only Twenty20 match next week, an official said on Saturday.

The 29-year-old twisted his foot and could only bowl seven of his allotted ten overs during Pakistan's eight-wicket defeat against Australia in the fourth match on Friday.

Australia won their first series since beating Bangladesh in September with a strong victory in Abu Dhabi on Friday and the players can relax over the final match of their United Arab Emirates tour.

Sunday's fifth ODI and Thursday's Twenty20 are the last opportunities to tinker ahead of the World Twenty20 and Michael Clarke's men will also be looking forward to a short break before the tournament in England next month.

Doug Bollinger set up the win with the first five wickets of his career as Pakistan reached 197.

Australia, some more experiments are likely now the final game is a dead rubber. Brett Lee could be trialled earlier than expected and Ben Laughlin will come into contention. Marcus North would like another go after his debut lasted only four balls thanks to Shoaib.

Pakistan have gone close on occasions in the past three games without matching their opening success. Resting Umar Gul on Friday was a strange decision considering the situation of the series, and he should be back to partner Shoaib unless either of them are too tired.

Pitch and conditions
While parts of Australia shiver, the UAE has been boiling and the tourists will be pleased to return home to more bearable conditions next week. On Friday the match started with the temperature around 43C and a maximum of 37C is expected on Sunday, along with another surface offering spin and low bounce.

Stats and Trivia

  • If Australia win the final game they will move one point behind the No. 1 South Africa and take their overall record in the UAE to 14 wins in 24 matches.
  • Doug Bollinger's 5 for 35 lifted him to third on the series wicket list, one behind Nathan Hauritz and five behind Shahid Afridi.
  • Clarke's century has been the only one of a series controlled by the bowlers.

Match facts
Sunday May 3, 2009
Start time 3pm local (11.00GMT)


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