END OF OVER:45 | 5 Runs | AUS: 265/3 | RR: 5.88
- Travis Head23 (25b)
- Steven Smith108 (104b)
- Junaid Khan9-0-58-1
- Hasan Ali10-0-62-1
Like Mohammad Hafeez said, the platform was there to get 300, but Australia came back nicely into this game. You don't give a man like Handscomb chances with the form he's in - he capitalized fully and overcame a nervy start to post a nice 82 on debut.
Smith was calm throughout the chase and managed Handscomb nicely, while cruising to an eighth century. A good solid win for Australia. That's all for today, folks. Thanks for joining in. See you soon.
Steven Smith is the Player of the Match. "We bowled pretty well in the afternoon to restrict them to 260 odd when it was a 320 wicket," he says. "Luck always helps, Handscomb is batting really nicely. He's carrying on his form from Test cricket. He didn't look out of place at all. I love batting and scoring runs, it was nice to get another big one. When you get yourself in, this is one of the best places to bat."
Hafeez: There was a platform for us to make 300 plus, but we missed our opportunity. No-balls are all part of the game, but the effort was there from the bowlers. Once you miss those chances, the pressure will always be on you. Everyone has to lift themselves. The next two venues will suit us.
Handscomb: "It was nice to have the WA crowd on my side for a change! Had some luck but I was happy to grab the opportunity. I was just trying to use my feet to try and go forward or back to unsettle the bowlers. The team's feeling great and it was great coming back into this side. The atmosphere is great. We were confident of chasing this total down. Through the middle, I was actually talking to Smith to see if I could perfect the french cut. It tried to hit three singles and got three fours, so that was great. Happy about how it went today."
Good cricket from Australia today. There was a point where Pakistan looked well on their way to 300, but they pulled them back. From that point, barring a few overs at the start of their innings, they were fully in control.