Pakistan gave themselves a big chance of reaching the World Twenty20 semi-finals Tuesday with a shock 32-run win over Australia, who reached the last four regardless courtesy of their net run rate.
Pakistan spinners made life miserable for Australian batsmen as they kept their semi-final hopes alive with a 32-run win in their final Super Eights match of the ICC World Twenty20, but that could not prevent the Aussies from reaching the last-four stage here today.
Chasing a target of 150, Pakistan's spin trio of Raza Hassan, Mohammed Hafeez and Saeed Ajmal restricted the Aussies to 117 for seven.
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With this win, Pakistan now have four points and, with a healthy net run-rate of + 0. 273, will hope South Africa, who are already out of the tournament, beat India or lose by less than 32 runs.
Pakistan cricketer Raza Hasan (R) celebrates dismissing Australian cricketer Shane Watson. Pic/AFP
Australia needed to reach the target of 112 in order to ensure a semi-final berth and Mike Hussey, with an innings of 54 off 47 balls, ensured his team had enough runs to move into the round of four.
Ajmal, with three for 17, was well complemented by Hafeez and Raza who chipped in with a couple of wickets each.
Hussey's square cut off the first delivery of the 20th over bowled by Umar Gul took Australia past the magic figure of 112 and there was a big round of applause from the dug-out.
It was rookie left-arm spinner Raza who got the prized scalp of Shane Watson for eight. The ball dipped into the opener as he went for a sweep shot but missed it completely to be adjudged leg-before. David Warner followed suit as he also tried to sweep his way out of trouble only to be trapped plumb in-front off Hafeez's bowling.
Skipper George Bailey (15) and Cameron White (12) did hit a six each but lack of match-time showed in their batting as they were unable to read the Pakistani spinners properly.
Earlier, an impressive half century by Nasir Jamshed and useful contributions from Kamran Akmal and Abdul Razzaq helped Pakistan post a competitive 149 for six after being put into bat.
Pakistan team celebrates their victory over Australia. Pic/AFP
Jamshed made 55 off 46 balls and along with Akmal added 79 runs for the third wicket. Akmal made 32 off 26 balls with the help of a four and a six.
Abdul Razzaq's 22 off 17 balls helped Pakistan in closing in on the 150-run mark while left-arm seamer Mitchell Starc was the pick of the Australian bowlers with brilliant figures of three for 20 in his four-over spell.
From 108 for two, Pakistan suddenly slumped to 108 for four. But Razzaq, in company of Umar Akmal, hit a few lusty blows towards the end of the innings to give the total a respectable look.
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