Pakistan restricted

Pakistan opener Salman Butt, who hit team highest 57, goes on the front foot to play defensively during the second one-day international against Australia at the Dubai Cricket Stadium yesterday.

Australian bowlers unleashed tight line and length to fold Pakistan's innings at 207 in 46.2 overs in the second day-night one-day international here at the Dubai cricket Stadium on Friday.

Off-spinner Nathan Hauritz took 3-41, while pacemen James Hopes and Andrew Symonds chipped in with two wickets apiece as Pakistan's batsmen struggled on a slow paced pitch after captain Younis Khan won the toss and decided to bat.

Pakistan leads the five-match one-day series 1-0 following their four-wicket win in the first match on Wednesday.

Opener Salman Butt top-scored with a resolute 57 while Shahid Afridi hit a 40-ball 41 to anchor the innings after Hauritz removed the middle order with some accurate off-spin.

Butt held one end intact after Pakistan lost debutant opener Ahmed Shahzad (four) in the third over. Younis (28) helped Butt add 53 for the second wicket before edging paceman Ben Laughlin to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin.

Hauritz further derailed the Pakistan innings by dismissing Shoaib Malik (seven) and Misbahul Haq (12) in quick succession before removing a dangerous looking Butt in the 34th over.

Butt hit six boundaries during his snail-paced 112-ball knock.

Hauritz could have had a fourth wicket and blown away Pakistan for a much lower total had Ben Laughlin held on to a high catch from Afridi when the batsman was on only three.

Afridi, who was man-of-the-match for his career-best 6-38 on Wednesday, fully capitalised on the chance and hit five boundaries and a six to help Pakistan score 39 in the batting power play.

Shoaib Akhtar used the long handle effectively, hitting four boundaries and a six off to make a fiery 14-ball 25.

Australia made three changes from their Wednesday line-up, leaving out pacemen Stuart Clark and Ben Hilfenhaus, and opener Shaun Marsh. They brought in David Hussey, Doug Bollinger and Ben Laughlin.

Pakistan included Shahzad in place of injured Nasir Jamshed.