Andrew Symonds rewarded the faith of the Australian selectors as he led his side to a six-wicket victory over Pakistan in the second one-day international in Dubai.
The all-rounder got the call for this series after undergoing counselling to deal with a series of off-field controversies, but after failing with the bat in the first-game defeat, displayed the talent which keeps Australia coming back for more. His two wickets for 12 runs helped finish off the Pakistan tail as they made 207, and his brisk half-century carried Australia almost all the way as they reached their target with 29 balls to spare.
After Brad Haddin went for just eight, Shane Watson's 30 and 48 from James Hopes had helped Australia build a solid platform, but Pakistan dismissed the pair within the space of three balls to leave the tourists in a more nervous position at 93 for three when Symonds strode to the crease. He took a while to play himself in, but after the offer of a free hit against Shoaib Malik was smashed for his first four in the 29th over, Symonds began to express himself a little more and hit Saeed Ajmal for six in the next over.
By the time he was bowled by Shahid Afridi for 58 off 62 balls, the damage had been done with Australia well ahead of the run rate and only 25 runs from their target. Michael Clarke's unbeaten 39 and 10 from Callum Ferguson saw them home.
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