Akmal outshines Watson in Pakistan win

Kamran Akmal hit an aggressive century to overshadow Shane Watson's hundred as Pakistan beat Australia by seven wickets in the fifth and final match at Sheikh Zayed Stadium here on Sunday.

The 27-year-old wicket-keeper batsman struck an unbeaten 116 and added a Pakistan record of 198 for the fourth wicket with Misbah-ul-Haq (76 not out) to help his team chase a challenging 251-run target with three overs to spare. Watson's 116 not-out was the cornerstone for Australia's 250-4 in 50 overs.

Despite the defeat, Australia took the five-match series 3-2 after winning the second match by six wickets, the third by 27 runs and fourth by eight wickets. Pakistan won the first match by four wickets.

Akmal and Haq got together with Pakistan struggling at 56-3 after 16 overs. They opened up gradually and lifted the quality of batting, which had earlier been mainly to blame for Pakistan's defeat in the last three matches.

Akmal, who managed 19, eight and one in the last three games, drove and cut beautifully as he took full advantage of a pitch which offered little help to the bowlers.

Akmal hit Michael Clarke for his 13th boundary to reach his fifth one-day hundred, each time he has done so, Pakistan have been the winning side.

First Published: May 04, 2009 10:03 IST