Australian cricket team against Pakistan in the UAE in 2018–19

International cricket tour

The Australian cricket team toured the United Arab Emirates in March 2019 to play five One Day International (ODI) matches against Pakistan.^[1][2] The fixtures were part of both teams' preparation for the 2019 Cricket World Cup.^[3][4]

Ahead of the tour, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) were in talks with Cricket Australia with a view to play some of the matches in Pakistan.^[5][6] On 10 February 2019, the PCB confirmed the dates of the tour, with all the fixtures taking place in the UAE.^[7][8]

The bans on Steve Smith and David Warner following the 2018 Australian ball-tampering scandal ended on 29 March 2019, coinciding with the date of the fourth ODI match.^[9][10] However, when Cricket Australia named their squad for the tour, Smith and Warner were not included.^[11] Trevor Hohns, chairman of the National Selection Panel, said that the best route for them coming back would be through the Indian Premier League.^[12]

Pakistan's regular captain, Sarfaraz Ahmed, was rested ahead of the 2019 Cricket World Cup, with Shoaib Malik named as captain of the squad in his place.^[13] For the fourth ODI, Imad Wasim captained the side for the first time, after Shoaib Malik was sidelined with a bruised rib.^[14] Wasim also captained Pakistan for the fifth and final ODI of the series.^[15]

Australia won the series 5–0.^[16] It was Australia's first 5–0 series win away from home since they beat the West Indies in 2008.^[17]

Squads

Pakistan's Faheem Ashraf was rested for the final three matches of the series.^[20] Jhye Richardson suffered an injury during the second ODI and was ruled out of Australia's squad for the rest of the series.^[21]

ODI series

1st ODI

• Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat.
• Mohammad Abbas and Shan Masood (Pak) both made their ODI debuts.
• Haris Sohail (Pak) scored his first century in ODIs.^[22]

2nd ODI

• Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat.
• Mohammad Hasnain (Pak) made his ODI debut.
• Mohammad Rizwan (Pak) scored his first century in ODIs.^[23]

3rd ODI

• Australia won the toss and elected to bat.

4th ODI

• Pakistan won the toss and elected to field.
• Abid Ali and Saad Ali (Pak) both made their ODI debuts.
• Imad Wasim captained Pakistan for the first time in ODIs.^[24]
• Abid Ali became the fifteenth batsman, and third for Pakistan, to score a century on debut in ODIs.^[25] He also made the highest score by a batsman for Pakistan on debut in ODIs.^[26]

5th ODI

• Pakistan won the toss and elected to field.
• Glenn Maxwell (Aus) played in his 100th ODI.^[27]
• Aaron Finch (Aus) scored his 4,000th run in ODIs.^[28]

Notes

1. Imad Wasim captained Pakistan for the 4th and 5th ODIs.

References

1. "Future Tours Programme" (PDF). International Cricket Council. Retrieved 11 December 2017.
2. "Australia's road to the 2019 World Cup". Cricket Australia. Retrieved 5 February 2019.
3. "ODIs over Shield for Ashes hopefuls". Cricket Australia. Retrieved 5 February 2019.
4. "Sarfaraz to lead Pakistan at 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 5 February 2019.
5. "PCB insists discussions are "open" for Australia to play in Pakistan". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 5 February 2019.
6. "Negotiations still 'open', says PCB after reports of Australia bowing out of tour". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 5 February 2019.
7. "PCB announces schedule of Australia ODIs". Pakistan Cricket Board. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
8. "Pakistan announce dates for Australia ODI series". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
9. "Warner, Smith bans to expire during Pakistan series in March". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
10. "Dubai in line to host Steve Smith and David Warner comebacks in Pakistan-Australia ODI". The National. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
11. "No Smith, Warner in Australia's squad for Pakistan ODIs". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 8 March 2019.
12. "Starc, banned duo ruled out of UAE tour". Cricket Australia. Retrieved 8 March 2019.
13. "Shoaib Mailk to lead ODI squad in UAE, Sarfaraz Ahmed among six players rested". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 8 March 2019.
14. "Injured Shoaib Malik out of fourth ODI against Australia". Business Recorder. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
15. "Behrendorff returns for final Pakistan ODI". Cricket Australia. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
16. "Top order power Australia to eighth win in a row". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
17. "Whitewash! Aussies secure 5–0 sweep". Cricket Australia. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
18. "Pakistan squad for Australia ODIs announced". Pakistan Cricket Board. Retrieved 8 March 2019.
19. "Smith, Warner, Starc not in squad for ODIs against Pakistan". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 8 March 2019.
20. "Faheem Ashraf rested for remainder of ODI series". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 24 March 2019.
21. "Injured Richardson sent home from UAE". Cricket Australia. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
22. "Haris Sohail ton powers Pakistan to 280". Cricbuzz. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
23. "Ton-up Rizwan guides Pakistan to 284-7 in second ODI". Yahoo News. Retrieved 24 March 2019.
24. "Malik ruled out, Imad Wasim to captain Pakistan against Australia today". Geo TV. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
25. "Abid Ali Makes Century In Debut Match". Urdu Point. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
26. "Maxwell lifts Australia in tense win". Cricket Australia. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
27. "Pakistan vs Australia, 5th ODI: Usman Khawaja propels Australia to 327-7 in fifth ODI". Cricket Country. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
28. "Australia blank Pakistan 5-0". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 31 March 2019.

External links

• Series home at ESPN Cricinfo