Hussey scored 65 for his 39th fifty and Maxwell hit a 38-ball 56 not out as Australia successfully chased down a challenging target of 245 in 47 overs, with three wickets in hand, spoiling Pakistan's chances of beating them for the first time since 2002.

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Opener Mohammad Hafeez topscored with 78 in Pakistan's fighting total of 244-7 after they were put into bat in Sharjah.

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Hussey added an invaluable 51 for the fifth wicket with Matthew Wade (22) after Pakistani spinner Saeed Ajmal (3-37) had threatened to wreck their innings, reducing Australia at one stage to 108-4.

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