Australia beat Pakistan by seven wickets

Melbourne, June 12: Adam Gilchrist's quickfire 56 sparked Australia to a seven-wicket victory over Pakistan in the first of three one-day cricket internationals played indoors and under floodlights at Colonial Stadium on Wednesday.

Pakistan made just 176 for eight wickets from their 50 overs, a target Australia reached with over 17 overs to spare, making 177 for three.

Gilchrist led the way, bringing up his 50 from just 42 deliveries.

The Australian left-handed openers, Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden, saw off Pakistan spearheads Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis and then went on the attack, reaching their century partnership in just the 16th over.

Young bowlers Mohammad Sami and Azhar Mahmood found their deliveries dispatched to all points of the ground.

Gilchrist eventually fell for 56, scored off just 47 balls and including nine fours, when caught by Inzamam-ul Haq off the third over of Sami -- who had already conceded 25 runs.

Hayden, unbeaten on 37, was joined by Australian skipper Ricky Ponting but the run rate fell back as Sami found his line and length.

Hayden was caught at square leg by Shoaib Malik for 45 and then the introduction of Shahid Afridi into the attack saw Ponting depart for 13, caught behind by Rashid Latif.

The Australians had slipped to 127 for three but it was too little, too late from the visitors.

Darren Lehmann finished unbeaten on 28 with Damien Martyn on 18.

Ponting won the toss and elected to field and some tight bowling limited the scoring opportunities for the visitors, who showed a lack of urgency running between the wickets.

Opener Imran Nazir, who retired hurt with a forearm injury when struck by a Glenn McGrath delivery when he was on five, returned to top score for the visitors with 39 from 53 balls.

He hit a series of meaty drives late in the innings while Haq contributed 33.

Paceman Andy Bichel was the most effective of the Australian bowlers, finishing with three for 30 from his 10 overs. Wicketkeeper Gilchrist took four catches and claimed a stumping.

Although the match was being played indoors, the sound of thunder and the pelting of rain on the stadium roof meant the crowd was restricted to 11,861.

This series has been billed as the pace showdown between Australia's Brett Lee and Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar but neither played Wednesday's match.

Lee was named as 12th man for Australia, while Akhtar was ruled out of Pakistan's team with a a hip injury.

The second match of the series will be played at the same venue on Saturday with the third match at the Gabba in Brisbane next Wednesday.