Thus, that is all from the Sharjah leg in this 5-match ODI series. The two teams now head to Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi for the 3rd ODI which will be on the 27th of March, Wednesday. That game will begin at 1500 local (1100 GMT). Make sure you join for that one to find out whether Pakistan can keep the series alive or not. Till then, take care and cheers. Goodbye!

Aaron Finch, the Man of the match and the Aussie skipper says that it was important for set batsmen to continue batting once they were in. He informs that he did not want to take a risk against Imad Wasim and looked to play him out. Praises Usman Khawaja and says he is very happy for him as he is scoring big runs. Reckons that it is a learning curve for all the players with a big few months coming up. Exits by mentioning that Jhye Richardson is in good spirits and it is an unfortunate shoulder dislocation. Hopes he will be fit soon.

Shoaib Malik says that they needed early strikes. He looks at the positive of taking the game till the end. Feels that youngsters are being groomed and such matches will happen as they are testing the bench strength. Praises Mohammad Rizwan for scoring runs against a big team and mentions he is a special talent. Considers that such things happen in cricket when you try different stuff with your team combination. Does not forget to applaud Aaron Finch for his magnificent 150 and says it is difficult to win when an opener scores so many in a chase of 280 odd. Signs off by saying that the goal is not about winning the series or anything but to give the bench strength a test and to give opportunity to everyone to play.

Usman Khawaja says that the partnership with Aaron Finch was great. He said that he tried to keep it aggresive in the beginning when his partner was struggling a bit. Applauds Finch for an amazing knock of more than 150. He mentions that he has always been strong off his wrists. Informs us that he is happy as is his side to win against a strong side like Pakistan. States that he enjoys playing at this ground and coming from Indian conditions, has helped him adjust.

Earlier in the evening, it was the hosts who won the toss and elected to bat. They did recover well after being 4 down before the halfway mark but they could not post a par-300 total in the end that was required. Rizwan got his maiden ODI ton as well but that was never going to be enough on this Sharjah surface which became better for batting in the end. Stay tuned for the presentations but before that Usman Khawaja with an interview on the sidelines.

Coming to the bowling, it was looking flat and fell on their face against the willows of Aaron Finch and Usman Khawaja. They seemed to run out of ideas and no one even looked like picking a wicket, barring Md. Hasnain for a few overs. Shoaib Malik and co. will have to seriously go back and have a look at their bowling combination if they are to make a comeback in this series.

This has been one stroll in the park! The Aussies have batted with ease and grace, winning the match comfortably by 8 wickets and more than 2 overs left in the end. It was a risk-free run chase and belonged to one man especially. The skipper, Aaron Finch made his 13th ODI ton and finished off with a massive 153 not out in the end. It included 6 sixes as well. The 209-run opening stand meant there was only going to be one winner. In fact, only 2 wickets were lost and one was a run out. The bowlers felt a little helpless.