Some late hitting from Mike Hussey saved Australia from posting an embarrassingly-low total in their one-day international against minnows Afghanistan in Sharjah on Saturday.

Skipper Michael Clarke won the toss in the late-afternoon heat and opted to bat on a grass-less pitch as the visiting side compiled a score of 8-272 from their 50 overs.

Clarke and Matthew Wade both scored 75, adding 131 for the second wicket. Veteran Mike Hussey was out for a brisk 49 in the final over.

David Warner (24) was caught behind off Shapoor Zadran’s bowling at 1-37.

Opener Wade, who had water poured over his head during drinks breaks to help him cope with the heat and humidity, hit a career-best 75 and faced 108 balls.

Wade consolidated the innings with Clarke in his new position at No.3, before Wade hit a low return catch to offspinner Mohammad Nabi at 2-168 in the 35th over.

Nabi struck again in his next over when debutant Glenn Maxwell holed out to long-on for two.

Australia lost a third wicket for 13 runs as Clarke charged the bowling of legspinner Samiullah Shenwari and was stumped at 4-182.

David Hussey was run out for 13 and George Bailey (23) was paceman Zadran’s second victim in the 49th over after an important half-century stand with Mike Hussey.

Mike Hussey hit two fours and three sixes in a powerful 37-ball knock after Australia had been well-held at 5-216 with five overs remaining.

Offspinner Karim Sadiq (2-22) removed Mike Hussey and James Pattinson in the final over.