Austral-Asia Cup, 1989-90

Pakistan continued their winning ways in Sharjah tournaments whey they beat Australia by 36 runs in the final of the six-nation Austral-Asia Cup early in May 1990. In addition to the trophy, Pakistan won $US30,000 while Australia, as runners-up, received $US20,000 and New Zealand and Sri Lanka, the losing semi-finalists, $US10,000 each. Bangladesh and India were the other countries involved.

For the second time in six months, the Pakistan left-arm all-rounder, Wasim Akram, claimed a hat-trick in Sharjah. This time he did so against Australia in the final. The highlight of the tournament, however, was the fast bowling of his young team-mate, Waqar Younis, whose seventeen wickets brought him the Man of Series award and $US5,000. In Australia's semi-final against Sri Lanka, Simon O'Donnell hit a half-century off just eighteen deliveries to beat the previous record for the fastest fifty in one-day internationals: off 21 deliveries by B. L. Cairns ( New Zealand v Australia at Melbourne, 1982-83) and Salim Malik ( Pakistan v India at Calcutta, 1986-87).

The Cricketers' Benefit Fund Series beneficiaries at the Austral-Asia Cup tournament were the Australian captain, A. R. Border, the former Sri Lankan captain, L. R. D. Mendis, Ghulam Ahmed and Madan Lal of India, and Imtiaz Ahmed and Salim Malik of Pakistan.

Match reports for

1st Match: India v Sri Lanka at Sharjah, Apr 25, 1990
Report | Scorecard

2nd Match: Australia v New Zealand at Sharjah, Apr 26, 1990
Report | Scorecard

3rd Match: India v Pakistan at Sharjah, Apr 27, 1990
Report | Scorecard

4th Match: Bangladesh v New Zealand at Sharjah, Apr 28, 1990
Report | Scorecard

5th Match: Pakistan v Sri Lanka at Sharjah, Apr 29, 1990
Report | Scorecard

6th Match: Australia v Bangladesh at Sharjah, Apr 30, 1990
Report | Scorecard

1st Semi-Final: New Zealand v Pakistan at Sharjah, May 1, 1990
Report | Scorecard

2nd Semi-Final: Australia v Sri Lanka at Sharjah, May 2, 1990
Report | Scorecard

Final: Australia v Pakistan at Sharjah, May 4, 1990
Report | Scorecard