The win over Australia elevated Afridi’s team to the top of Group A – booking a quarterfinal with the West Indies who has finished fourth in Group B.
For the first time since 1999, Australia were bowled out inside their allotted 50-overs in a World Cup cricket match. Despite the fact the wicket was two-paced with inconsistent bounce, the paltry score of 176 cast fresh doubt over Australia’s chances to win the cup. The score was the lowest total by an Australian side at the World Cup since 1992. Pakistan mowed down the total despite losing six wickets.
Pakistan batsmen fairly slightly better to achieve victory
Pakistan got off to a quick start despite the early loss of Mohammad Hafeez (5) - thanks to a rapid 23 from wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal before he was trapped lbw by Brett Lee. Asad Shafiq (46) then shared in a 53-run stand with Younis Khan (31) before the latter’s dismissal in the 23rd over. Despite the quick wickets of Misbah-ul-haq (0) and Shahid Afridi (2), Pakistan secured victory in the 41st over. Umar Akmal (44) and Abdul Razzaq (20) remained the not out batsmen.
Brett Lee was by far-and-away Australia’s best bowler on the night, finishing with 4/28 of his eight overs. Shaun Tait (0/37), Mitchell Johnson (1/40), Shane Watson (0/26) and Krejza (1/44) copped a little stick during Pakistan’s successful run chase.
Australian innings falters under the condition due to poor application by the batsmen
Australia innings got off to a rather cautious start after the dismissal of inform opener Shane Watson (9). However, by the time the Australian innings ended, Brad Haddin (42), Michael Clarke (34) and Steve Smith (24) were the only batsman to score above twenty. Haddin’s innings was fairly stilted in its application coming of 81 balls. Once again the right-handed New South Welshman has failed to convert a start into anything substantial. The wicketkeeper batsman threw his wicket away when he was caught behind by Kamran Akmal.
Ricky Ponting’s poor form at the World Cup continues. The Australian skipper came to the crease and looked to have received some luck when a mistimed hook shot of Umar Gul sailed over the Pakistan wicketkeeper’s head for four. However, it would be revealed as something of a false dawn when Ponting was dismissed for 19 - edging an attempted late cut to Akmal off Mohammed Hafeez. However, he is not alone as Cameron White’s equally miserable run continued when he was the victim of an error in judgement from Michael Clarke. The vice captain deflected a delivery of his hip and called White through only to see him metres short of the crease. Clarke compounded his error when he fell a few overs later to Abdul Razzaq while attempting a wild pull shot.
Mike Hussey (12) couldn’t save Australia with any late innings heroics when he spooned a simple catch to midwicket off Abdur Rehman. With Hussey’s dismissal, any chance of finishing with a score of 200 was lost. He was quickly joined back in the dressing room by Mitchell Johnson who was caught behind for a third-ball duck off the bowling of Razzaq.
Steve Smith tried to add some respectability to the score with a quick-fire 25, but was bowled by Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi. The end to the Australian innings came when Brett Lee skied an attempted pull shot to cover off Umar Gul.
Gul (3/30) was the best of the Pakistan bowlers and was well supported by Abdul Razzaq (2/8). The rest of the bowling also contributed to the wicket-taking column.
The road to a fourth consecutive World Cup win has been made particularly rocky with Australia likely to face either India or South Africa in the quarter final.
Australia Pakisan
- B. Haddin 42 A. Shafiq 46
- M. Clarke 34 U. Akmal 44*
- S. Smith 25 Y. Khan 31
- All out for 176 (46.4 overs) 6/178 (41 overs)
- U. Gul 3/30 B. Lee 4/28
- A. Razzaq 2/8 M. Johnson 1/40
- Man of the Match: Umar Akmal (Pakistan)
- Result: Pakistan by 4 wickets
Jason Webster - I am a contributing writer who has been submitting articles to Suite101.com since January – mostly to do with film and video reviews ...
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