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Cameron White blasted a quickfire century as Australia secured a five-wicket victory over Pakistan in the opening One-Day International of the five-match series in Brisbane on Friday.
Australia looked in trouble after being reduced to 84 for 3 but White stepped in and threw the opposition off the perch with his 85-ball innings -- inclusive of eight fours and four sixes -- that was instrumental in the hosts overhauling Pakistan's total of 274 in the 49th over.
Pakistan had Australia on the backfoot as Mohammad Aamer dismissed the dangerous Shane Watson in the fourth over of the match, the ball taking the top of the handle for an easy catch at long-on.
The quick dismissals of Shaun Marsh and skipper Ricky Ponting meant Australia were down to 84 for 3. However, Michael Clarke and White mixed caution with aggression in a 102-run partnership to lay the foundation for what turned out to be an easy win in the end.
Clarke was brilliantly run-out by Rana Naved-ul Hasan after well-made 58.
White lifted his game after Clarke's departure and tonked three consecutive sixes in the final over from Shahid Afridi as Australia pulled off the fourth highest run-chase at the Gabba..
He hit four sixes and eight fours in all, getting to his second ODI century off 85 balls.
Earlier, Shahid Afridi lived up to his name as one of the game's biggest hitters, hitting 48 from 26 deliveries, including five fours and three massive sixes, as Pakistan posted a competitive 274.
With the visitors in need of quick runs in the last ten overs, he hit four boundaries (one counted as leg byes) off consecutive deliveries in Clint McKay's over which cost Australia 18 runs. In fact, he scored almost all of the 50 runs in the team's batting powerplay.
His breezy knock followed an 81-ball 72 from opener Salman Butt.
Shane Watson finished career-best figures of 4 for 36 while Doug Bollinger claimed 2 for 32.
Nathan Hauritz was expensive, conceding 68 runs without any reward from nine overs, his most expensive 50-over figures for Australia.