Australia beat Pakistan in a thriller for semi-final spot

CENTURION - Australia stopped India’s progress to the Champions Trophy semi-finals with a thrilling two-wicket win over Pakistan in the Group A match at the SuperSport Park here Wednesday.

Chasing a modest Pakistani total of 205 for six after deciding to field, Australia from 140 for two in 32nd over lost six wickets for 40 runs to bring the match down to the wire.

Brett Lee (12 not out) with Nathan Hauritz (9 not out) took the winning run for the defending champions in the last ball. Man of the match Michael Hussey was the best batsman for Australia, hitting 64 off 87 balls.

The Pakistani bowlers, especially Naved-ul-Hasan (1-39) and Saeed Ajmal, were particularly impressive in the death overs. And so was Mohammad Asif, returning to international cricket after completing his 12-month dope ban, with figures of 2-34.

They were instrumental in wreaking havoc in the Australian side who were looking comfortably poised to reach the total. But once skipper Ricky Ponting (32) was caught by Umar Gul off Shoaib Malik, to make it 140 for three, the Australian batting went spiraling downhill.

Hussey stabled the rot, his innings including six fours and a six, but once he departed in the 41st over, the Australians fell like ninepins.

Lee and Huauritz survived the swing and spin of the Pakistani bowlers, who had suddenly came alive after the unexpected turn around, pushing for singles rather than going for the boundaries. With Australia needing four off the last over, the two rotated the strike well to see their side into the semi-finals.

India were hoping Pakistan would beat Australia to stay alive in the tournament. But that was not to be. Pakistan’s defeat has thus rendered the outcome of the India-West Indies match at the New Wanderers stadium later in the day meaningless.

Australia’s win also means they are now on top of Group A and will face England in the semi-final at the same venue Friday. Pakistan too are in the semi-finals and will take on New Zealand at the Wanderers Saturday.

Earlier, Mitchell Johnson (2-45) and Shane Watson (2-32) troubled the Pakistani batsmen from the start and were well complemented by Brett Lee and James Hopes who took a wicket each.

Among the Pakistani batsmen, only Mohammed Yousuf (45), Kamran Akmal (44) and Misbah-ul-Haq (41) could weather the Australian attack.