Sharjah: Former world champions Australia defeated a battling Afghanistan team by 66 runs in the first-ever ODI between the two sides.
Australia did well to reach 272-8 in their 50 overs despite some hiccups in the middle overs before overcoming a tough mid-innings resistance by Afghanistan who in the end were bowled out for 206 in 43.5 overs late on Saturday.
Michael Clarke hit a 94-ball 75 while Matthew Wade also made 75 off 108 balls to take Australia to a fighting total on a dry Sharjah Stadium pitch in sultry 35-plus degree heat.
The match, which started at 6pm local time to avoid the heat and ended early on Sunday, was Afghanistan’s second against a full Test-playing side after they met Pakistan in February. (AFP)
Brief scores:
Australia: 272-8 (M Clarke 75, M Wade 75; K Sadiq 2-22)
Afghanistan: 206-10 (A Stanikzai 66; M Starc 4-47)
