Live Cricket Score of Pakistan vs Australia, 1st ODI at Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium

After a humiliating defeat in the one-off T20I, Pakistan will be looking forward to begin the 3-match ODI series againt Australia on a positive note. However, in the absence of Saeed Ajmal and the injured Mohammad Hafeez, it will not be an easy task. Their batting, especially, will be tested against a strong Australian bowling attack. With Misbah-ul-Haq's return as captain, the hosts will be hoping for a quick turnaround in their fortunes.

Australia may be without their regular captain Michael Clarke, but George Bailey has already proved to be a shrewd skipper. Mitchell Johnson, who missed the T20I as he was recovering from a rib injury, is likely to be fit today. History is also on their side. Pakistan have not beaten Australia in an ODI series, since winning 2-1 Down Under in 2002. After that, the visitors have gone on to win three in a row, in 2009 (UAE), 2010 (Australia) and, 2012 (UAE).

Australia won the toss and elected to bat first. They handed a debut to Sean Abbott, while Pakistan awarded a first ODI cap to 35-year old Zulfiqur Babar.

Opting to bat first, Australia suffered a hammer blow as Aaron Finch fell for a duck off the first ball of the match. The right-hander was caught square-driving on the up, and ended up offering Ahmed Shehzad an easy catch at point.

Having suffered a horror start, Australia clawed back into the game with a patient stand between Steve Smith and David Warner. The left-hander did the bulk of the scoring, mixing caution and aggression very well, while Smith stepped up as soon as the spinners came into action, to get a solid start under his belt.

David Warner fell against the run of play as he pulled a short delivery straight to the fielder off the bolwing of Shahid Afridi. Smith, however, continued unperturbed and brought up his maiden ODI fifty.