DUBAI // The stadium may have been over half empty and the buzz less than that created by the average Indian Premier League (IPL) commercial break.
But it mattered little to Glenn Maxwell, who continued his love affair with the UAE as Australia extinguished Pakistan’s hopes in the one-day series at Dubai International Stadium on Friday night.
Click here to view a photo gallery from the match
The Australia all-rounder made his debut in international cricket two years ago, here in the UAE.
When he returned earlier this year with Kings XI Punjab in the IPL, he was the headline act in cricket’s biggest show.
On his latest jaunt here, he has played two matches in Dubai in the space of six days, been man of the match twice, and now a series winner.
“It is always nice to come back here and play my cricket,” Maxwell said after his innings of 76 from 81 deliveries gave Australia a five-wicket win, and an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series ahead of Sunday’s final game in Abu Dhabi.
“It was important to put some strong performances on the board in the UAE, and hopefully it gets me recognised when the Test matches come around.”
Maxwell has spoken in the past about how comfortable he is playing in this country, not least because the crowds are usually large, noisy and appreciative.
Not so much on Friday. The attendance was disappointingly light for a weekend afternoon.
But there is a clear reason. No point parting with your hard-earned cash if it is to support a Pakistan side who find yet more ways to underwhelm.
The nominal home side have only won only five matches out of 25 over the past decade against Australia.
Whether the loss here is a part of some continuing hex, or the sign of a deeper malaise, is really academic. They are just way off the requisite standard at present.
“Some really irresponsible shots cost us,” said Misbah-ul-Haq, the Pakistan captain. “[But] it was an improved performance.”
Australia arrived on these shores safe in the knowledge it was going to be a trial by spin.
They were well up for the challenge, and hitherto had apparently been perfectly equipped to deal with it.
In Sharjah, three days earlier, the away side had won the toss and been able to bat before the pitch had started to crumble.
The fact the opposite happened here meant Pakistan had a chance to bridge the gap in class between the two sides. They did not take it.
As soon as everyone arrived it was clear Pakistan’s directives had been met. No matter that the groundsman at Dubai Sports City, Tony Hemming, is Australian, this pitch was served to order for the home team.
Three feet in front of the popping crease, the wicket was a noticeably different hue, with less grass, more dry earth, and thus the likelihood it was going to erode quickly.
Batting first, Pakistan clearly had the best of it. Sarfraz Ahmed top-scored and was the dominant partner in an opening stand worth 126 with Ahmed Shahzad.
Reaching just 215 after the start the innings had been given was an epic waste. And once Umar Akmal had dropped Maxwell on four, they stood no chance despite the conditions increasingly favouring their spin bowlers.
pradley@thenational.ae
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