Aaron Finch century sees Australia beat Pakistan in first ODI in UAE

A timely century from Aaron Finch eased Australia to victory over Pakistan in the first ODI, as Shaun Marsh also reminded selectors of his quality with World Cup places up for grabs.

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Aaron Finch produced a match-winning century in an eight-wicket victory over Pakistan to silence any doubters questioning whether he still merited his place in the first XI for Australia’s World Cup defence.

Finch (116) and Shaun Marsh (91 not out) did the heavy lifting as Australia hauled in a target of 281 in Sharjah, taking a 1-0 lead in the five-match series with one over to spare.

Finch brought up his first ODI ton in nine months with a towering six off fellow skipper Shoaib Malik, celebrating with a hearty hug of Marsh and a kiss of the helmet badge.

The Victorian raged at himself when he went down swinging at Mohammad Abbas in the 43rd over, no doubt keen to finish the job, but Marsh and Peter Handscomb ensured there was no late twist.

Aaron Finch scored his first ODI ton in nine months to lead Australia to victory. Picture: AFP

Finch was already locked in to lead Australia at the World Cup, having impressed Justin Langer immensely after taking on the responsibility following Steve Smith and David Warner’s unprecedented shame and sanctions.

But the innings in Sharjah was verification the opener’s recent knock of 93 in India was no outlier.

“He was brilliant tonight. He led from the front,” Marsh said of his skipper.

“Absolutely (elated for him). I know how hard he’s been working in the nets and to see him get the rewards was fantastic.”

Reaching three figures was “a bit of relief” for Finch but not because of any bigger picture.

“I’d faced a lot of dot balls in the 90s and it wasn’t because I was trying to just get to a hundred,” Finch said.

“It was purely that they bowled quite well.

“Shaun Marsh played a crucial innings for the team, he took a lot of pressure off through the middle overs when I started to really struggle.”

Recalled veteran Marsh, who was dropped for the series decider against India in Delhi, made a mockery of suggestions his own World Cup hopes are already over.

Finch’s match-winning knock firmly answered critics questionign his recent form. Picture: AFP

The 172-run stand between Finch and Marsh, who started tentatively but soon exhibited impeccable timing, was ultimately the difference.

Haris Sohail’s maiden ODI century lifted his team to a total of 5-280 but Pakistan couldn’t form the sort of partnership they craved.

Nathan Coulter-Nile dismissed debutant Shan Masood and Umar Akmal, for 40 and 49 respectively, to end stands with Sohail that were threatening to get out of hand for Australia.

The triumph, coming without the help of rested spearhead Pat Cummins, extended Australia’s winning streak to four games.

Batting was Australia’s Achilles heel in a stretch of four wins from 26 consecutive ODIs prior to that, but, as was the case during a record chase of 359 earlier this month in India, it delivered victory in Sharjah.

Finch and Marsh controlled the chase, on the sort of slow pitch that Australia have come unstuck on while trying to be overly aggressive during recent years.

Haris Sohail (R) posted his maiden ODI century in Pakistan’s defeat to Australia. Picture: AFP

Finch was patient for most of the night, putting away bad balls but otherwise content to work the field and keep the scoreboard ticking over through assertive running between the wickets.

There was also some trademark clean hitting from the Victorian, who bludgeoned four sixes.

Finch offered one half chance before reaching three figures, when he smashed the ball straight back at veteran spinner Yasir Shah’s chest on 83.

A shaken Shah was rightly relieved to avoid injury, such was the force of the blow.

Originally published as Aaron Finch century sees Australia beat Pakistan in first ODI in UAE