Australia's cleansweep of Pakistan completes satisfying Cricket World Cup preparation

Usman Khawaja top-scores for away side with 98 as Aaron Finch's men win fifth and final ODI by 20 runs in Dubai

Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja plays a shot during the fifth one day international (ODI) cricket match between Pakistan and Australia at Dubai International Stadium in Dubai on March 31, 2019.  / AFP / MAHMOUD KHALED
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Australia completed a satisfying tune up ahead of the World Cup as they beat Pakistan by 20 runs in Dubai on Sunday night.

The win put the seal on a 5-0 series cleansweep of a Pakistan side that had been missing a variety of members of their established starting XI.

Usman Khawaja top scored for the away side, but fell two runs short of a century. The left-hander chipped a catch to Yasir Shah off Usman Shinwari, who ended with four wickets for 49, when on 98.

Earlier, he had shared another century stand for the first wicket with Aaron Finch. The success of the Finch-Khawaja partnership in this series has thrown into doubt where David Warner will bat in the line-up when he does return to the starting XI.

Glenn Maxwell continued his outstanding form with 70 in just 33 balls, as the tourists amassed 327 for seven from their 50 overs.

Although that was, by a distance, the highest target Pakistan have faced in a listless series for them, they made a bold attempt at it.

Haris Sohail made 130, his second century in the series, and the hosts appeared well placed when he shared a 108-run alliance with Shan Masood for the second wicket.

Once they were parted, though, Pakistan were unable to maintain their challenge. Despite a late flurry of hitting that brought Imad Wasim, the stand-in captain, a half-century, they ultimately fell short.