Andrew Symonds hit a half-century and took two wickets yesterday to steer Australia to a six-wicket win over Pakistan in the second one-day international, to level at 1-1 in the five-match series.

Symonds, who played his first match for Australia since July on Wednesday, made 58 in 62 balls at Dubai Sports City cricket stadium after earlier collecting 2-12 to help bowl out Pakistan for 207 in a total the Australians (208-4) eclipsed with almost five overs left.

Allrounders James Hopes of Australia and Shahid Afridi of Pakistan also had good games. Hopes took 2-45 with his medium-pacers and then scored 48, while Afridi claimed 2-38 with his legspinners and also hit 41.

Australia lost opener Brad Haddin early when he was bowled by Umar Gul trying an ambitious slog, but Hopes and Shane Watson added 77 for the second wicket.

Earlier, Pakistan never got going as wickets fell at regular intervals before being bowled out in the 47th over.