This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

Aaron Finch and Shaun Marsh, two Australian batsmen subject to plenty of World Cup conjecture in recent weeks, silenced their doubters by delivering an eight-wicket ODI victory over Pakistan.

Finch (116) and Marsh (91 not out) did the heavy lifting in a 172-run stand as Australia hauled in a target of 281 in Sharjah, taking a 1-0 lead in the five-match series with one over to spare.

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Marsh, who was dropped for last week’s series decider in India, made a mockery of anybody who believed his World Cup hopes are over.

Finch did likewise to those questioning whether he is the man to lead Australia’s World Cup defence, excelling after Haris Sohail’s maiden ODI century lifted Pakistan to a competitive total of 280-5.

The opener was already locked in to lead Australia at the World Cup, having impressed coach Justin Langer immensely in the aftermath of Steve Smith and David Warner’s unprecedented sanctions.

But Friday’s innings was verification that Finch’s recent breakthrough knock of 93 against India was no outlier.

The Victorian brought up his first ODI ton in nine months with a towering six off fellow skipper Shoaib Malik, celebrating with a hearty hug of Marsh and a kiss of the helmet badge.

“He was brilliant tonight. He led from the front,” Marsh said. “Absolutely [elated for him]. I know how hard he’s been working in the nets and to see him get the rewards was fantastic.”

Reaching three figures was “a bit of relief” for Finch but not because of any bigger picture.

“I’d faced a lot of dot balls in the 90s and it wasn’t because I was trying to just get to a hundred,” Finch said. “It was purely that they bowled quite well.

“Shaun Marsh played a crucial innings for the team, he took a lot of pressure off through the middle overs when I started to really struggle.”

The triumph, completed without the help of rested spearhead Pat Cummins, extended Australia’s winning streak to four games.

Nathan Coulter-Nile dismissed debutant Shan Masood and Umar Akmal for 40 and 49 respectively to end stands with Sohail that were threatening to get out of hand for Australia.

Finch, ever the perfectionist and keen to finish the job, was furious to have gone down swinging at Mohammad Abbas in the 43rd over.

The 32-year-old stormed off the field then cameras captured him raging in the dressing rooms but Marsh and Peter Handscomb ensured no late twist.

“It was a really important time when we could have put the game to bed ... I was disappointed,” Finch said.

Finch offered one chance before reaching three figures on 83, when he smashed the ball straight back at veteran spinner Yasir Shah’s chest. A shaken Shah was relieved to avoid injury, such was the force of the blow.