Press Trust of India
Mohali, March 25: Australia knocked Pakistan out of the ICC World Twenty20 with a convincing 21-run victory here Friday. The victory ensured that the game between India and Australia at the same venue Sunday, will be a virtual quarterfinal with the winners progressing to the semifinals. The Shahid Afridi-led side finished with three defeats and a single win over Bangladesh.
Captain Steven Smith (61 n o, 43b, 7×4) and Shane Watson (44 n o, 21b, 4×4, 3×6) hammered 74 off the last 38 balls to take Australia to 193 for four. Pakistani batsmen faltered once again barring a decent effort from Khalid Latif (46, 41b, 4×44, 1×6) and Shoaib Malik (40, 20b, 2×4, 2×6) to end at 172 for eight.
All-rounder James Faulkner (5/27) starred with ball, becoming the first Australian to take five wickets in the shortest format.
The steep chase was another chance for Pakistan batsmen to redeem themselves after they let the team down in the previous two matches. But the start was not promising with both the openers back in the hut with only 40 runs on board.
Umar Akmal (32, 20b, 3×4, 1×6) and Latif shared 45 runs for the third wicket and looked like reviving Pak hopes. But then Adam Zampa (2/32) castled Akmal with the flipper. Worst was to follow as Afridi after hitting Zampa for a huge straight six jumped down the track to the very next ball and Phil Neville had all the time in the world to stump the batsman.
Earlier, pacer Wahab Riaz (2/35) provided the early and important wickets of Usman Khawaja (21) and David Warner (nine) before Smith and Watson took the Pakistani attack to the cleaners.
Australia changed the opening combination with Aaron Finch joining Khawaja and Watson coming in at number six. The move worked as Watson combined with Smith to punish the Pakistani bowlers, who had a tough day on a good batting surface.
Smith’s knock was busy as usual, highlighted by seven fours. His last hit was amazing as he smacked Riaz for four towards the leg side on a ball he met while standing way outside the off-stump.
Watson, who announced his retirement on the eve of the game, was also in full flow. It was no surprise the big-hitting batsman smashed the Pak bowlers all over the park during his electrifying knock.
Glenn Maxwell (30, 18b, 3×4, 1×6) also played his part in setting up the big total with an entertaining knock.
Pakistan pacers leaked runs with Mohammad Amir going for close 10 runs per over and Mohammad Sami giving away 53 runs in four overs. The fielding too was sloppy, helping the opposition gain control of the innings.
