June 20, 2002	Thursday	Rabi-us-Sani 8, 1423

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BRISBANE (Australia), June 19: Pakistan, inspired by fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, crushed Australia by 91 runs in the third and deciding one-day international to clinch three-match series 2-1 Wednesday.

Pakistan overcame a middle-order collapse to score 256 for seven from their 50 overs after winning the toss and batting first.

Australia were all out for 165 in 40 overs in reply as Shoaib, the world’s fastest bowler, took five for 25 from eight overs to win the player of the match and series awards.

Shoaib bowled Ricky Ponting (14) and Darren Lehmann (0) before having Damien Martyn (10) caught at third man and Michael Bevan (10) caught behind.

He also dismissed tailender Jason Gillespie for a duck after Shane Warne (31) and Shane Watson (44 not out) had added a defiant 57 for the seventh wicket.

“I just tried to concentrate on taking wickets rather than just bowling fast,” said Shoaib.

Earlier, Pakistan relied heavily on half-century partnerships for the first and eighth wickets for their competitive total.

Imran Nazir, who top-scored with 66, and Saeed Anwar (26) shared an opening partnership of 94 but their dismissals triggered a middle-order collapse.

Pakistan were 168 for seven before Yousuf Youhana (61 not out) and Wasim Akram (49 not out from 32 balls) added 88 in the closing 10.3 overs for the eighth wicket.

Glenn McGrath (0-48) conceded 23 runs in the 49th over including consecutive sixes from the blade of Akram who was in a mood to celebrate.

The former Pakistan captain equalled former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin’s record of 334 one-day international matches.