Pakistan end Australia's unbeaten run

Pakistan 178-6 Australia 176 (Pakistan win by 4 wickets)

Pa
Saturday 19 March 2011 13:34 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Pakistan ended Australia's 34-match unbeaten World Cup streak with a four-wicket win in their final group stage clash in Colombo.

It was Pakistan who had last inflicted a world Cup defeat on the defending champions - 12 years ago at Headingley - and they required 41 overs to knock off the 177 required today.

The result - which sees Pakistan top Group A - was not without worry though, as Brett Lee's figures of four for 28 in eight overs had threatened the unlikeliest of fightbacks.

However, Asad Shafiq's 46 off 81 deliveries and Umar Akmal's unbeaten 44 led the Asians to a historic win.

Earlier, Australia's lowest total of this world cup was down to some inspired bowling by Pakistan as Umar Gul grabbed three wickets while fellow paceman Abdul Razzaq finished with two for eight.

Having won the toss, Australia lost Shane Watson early on to Gul but recovered well thanks to Brad Haddin and skipper Ricky Ponting, who carefully took the total to 75.

The pair's approach was defensive at best but after a 63-run stand, Ponting's poor form continued as he was caught behind off Mohammad Hafeez for just 19. Haddin kept calm to prod his way to 42 off 80 deliveries before falling to Wahab Riaz.

Hafeez and Shahid Afridi kept Michael Clarke and Cameron White in check with some tight spin and the pressure finally paid dividends with White's run-out.

Australia sank further with the losses of set batsmen Clarke (34) and Michael Hussey (12), quickly followed by Mitchell Johnson for a duck.

Jason Krejza (seven) became Gul's second victim while Steven Smith's gutsy 25 off 32 balls raised some hope before he was bowled by Afridi, as Gul fittingly wrapped up the innings by dispatching Brett Lee for five.

Pakistan's promising start was rocked twice by Lee, who removed openers Hafeez (five) and Kamran Akmal (23) inside the mandatory powerplay.

Asad Shafiq held the fort thereafter as he and Younus Khan patiently rode out the Aussie momentum to add 53 for the third wicket.

However, Lee's return to the attack brought fresh joy for Australia as Younus edged straight to keeper Haddin after his patient 31 while Misbah-ul-Haq departed next ball in similar fashion.

Umar's risky hitting in a 41-run stand appeared to have eased Pakistan's nerves but Shafiq was cruelly stranded short of his 50, caught in the slips off Johnson just minutes before Afridi's dismissal.

In the end however, with just 34 required off 17 overs, Umar and Razzaq calmly saw their side home, with the latter hitting the winning boundary to finish unbeaten on 20.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in