SHARJAH: Mohammad Rizwan hit a maiden hundred to guide Pakistan to 284-7 in the second One-day International against Australia in Sharjah on Sunday.

The 26-year-old struck 11 boundaries in his 115 total as Pakistan — who won the toss and batted for the second straight match — once again failed to crack the 300-mark on a flat Sharjah Cricket Stadium pitch.

Rizwan, only playing because regular wicket-keeper and skipper Sarfraz Ahmed has been rested for the series, added 52 for the third wicket with Haris Sohail (34) and an invaluable 127 for the fifth wicket with stand-in captain Shoaib Malik.

Pakistan lost opener Imam-ul-Haq without scoring off the fifth ball of the innings from fast bowler Jhye Richardson.

Shan Masood (19) and Haris — who scored his maiden hundred in the first game on Friday — took the total to 35 when Richardson struck again, getting Shan caught at short mid-wicket.

But Richardson took 2-16 in his five overs and fell awkwardly in the outfield and went off in the 11th over. Initial reports suggest he dislocated his shoulder and is doubtful for the remaining three matches.

Rizwan, though, lifted Pakistan after Umar Akmal fell for 16, caught off spinner Nathan Lyon.

Rizwan improved on his previous best of 75 not out, against Zimbabwe at Harare four years ago and completed his hundred with a single off 114 balls. He fell to paceman Nathan Coulter-Nile to a spectacular boundary catch by Glen Maxwell, who threw the ball into play just as he lost control on the edge of the fence before quickly getting to hold the ball safely.

Coulter-Nile finished with 2-52.

Malik also smashed three boundaries and a six before falling in the 45th over.

Pakistan replaced experienced fast bowler Mohammad Amir with rookie Mohammad Hasnain for his maiden international match while Australia remained unchanged.

Australia lead the five-match series 1-0 after convincingly winning the first game, played at the same venue, by eight wickets on Friday.

Scoreboard

PAKISTAN:

Imam-ul-Haq b Richardson 0

Shan Masood c Marsh b Richardson 19

Haris Sohail c Carey b Finch 34

M. Rizwan c Maxwell b Coulter-Nile 115

Umar Akmal c Handscomb b Lyon 16

Shoaib Malik c Maxwell b Zampa 60

F. Ashraf c Handscomb b Coulter-Nile 14

Imad Wasim not out 19

Yasir Shah not out 1

EXTRAS (B-1, LB-2, W-3) 6

TOTAL (for seven wkts, 50 overs) 284

FALL OF WKTS: 1-0, 2-35, 3-87, 4-112, 5-239, 6-254, 7-266.

DID NOT BAT: Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Abbas.

BOWLING: Richardson 5-2-16-2; Coulter-Nile 7-0-52-2 (2w)l Stoinis 6-0-40-0 (1w); Lyon 10-0-64-1; Zampa 10-0-57-1; Finch 10-0-41-1; Maxwell 2-0-11-0.

AUSTRALIA: U.T. Khawaja, A.J. Finch, S.E. Marsh, P.S.P. Handscomb, G.J. Maxwell, M.P. Stoinis, A.T. Carey, N.M. Coulter-Nile, J.A. Richardson, N.M. Lyon, A. Zampa.

UMPIRES: Shozab Raza (Pakistan) and H.D.P.K Dharmasena (Sri Lanka).

TV UMPIRE: M.A. Gough (England).

MATCH REFEREE: J.J. Crowe (New Zealand).

Published in Dawn, March 25th, 2019