Pakistan top group, end Australia’s unbeaten run

World Cup 2011 – Match Report: Pakistan v Australia, Group A, R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, 19 March 2011

Australia were dismissed for the first time in 28 innings and 12 years in the World Cups. Secondly it was their lowest total since 1992. Pakistan not only ended their remarkable unbeaten run of 34 matches but they did it in style. Against all odds Pakistan outplayed Australia in all departments, including the fielding, to win their last group match and top the group.

Ricky Ponting won the toss and had no hesitation to bat first on a slow wicket which had variable bounce and pace. Pakistan started with Umar Gul and Abdur Rehman and this move paid dividends as Aussies could not get a move on. Gul produced a beauty to remove dangerous Shane Watson for just 9 as he prodded half forward to an in-swinger which cannoned into the stumps after kissing the inside edge of the bat.

At the end of mandatory powerplay, Australia had just 36 for 1 on the board. Haddin powered a six off Abdur Rehman in a bid to erase some pressure. Although he and Ponting got advantage of some loose stuff from Wahab Riaz but the run rate was generally kept in check by Pakistan. Ponting looked determined to end his woes with bat especially after surviving a couple of lucky moments. After top-edging a bouncer for four off Wahab, Misbah reprieved Ponting when he spilled a difficult chance off Abdur Rehman at square leg.

After troubling him consistently with his accuracy and guile, Mohammad Hafeez sent Ponting towards the dressing room after he had stuttered to 19. Kamran Akmal took a sharp catch when Ponting, on 19, tried to cut but umpire turned down a raucous appeal. Review confirmed Ponting’s worst fears and he walked disgruntled as Pakistan fielders exchanged some harsh words with Haddin.

Ponting’s was an important blow as his association with Haddin yielded 63 runs which proved to be their highest partnership for the innings. The rest of the batsman could not come to terms with the wicket as well as the nagging line and length of Pakistan bowlers.

From 75 to 176 all out, Australia lost 9 wickets for 101 runs. First Wahab Riaz took out the top scorer Brad Haddin for 42 (80 balls, 3 fours, 1 six) who guided the ball straight back to the wicketkeeper and then Abdul Razzaq clean bowled Michael Clarke with a reverse swinging good-length ball. In between Cameron White was brilliantly run out by Misbah.

Abdur Rehman got the prized scalp of Michael Hussey as he tamely handed a catch to Misbah at short midwicket. Umar Gul wiped out the tail with the help of Abdul Razzaq and Afridi. Australia were all out for a below par 176 in 46.4 overs. Gul was brilliant for Pakistan with figures of 3 for 30 in his 7.4 overs while Abdul Razzaq was the surprise package as he rocked Australian middle order by taking 2 for 8 in his 4 overs.

As Pakistan had a customary huddle in between the innings, Afridi must have told his boys that they had a golden chance to create history by toppling the defending champions. Australia came hard at Pakistan as openers Hafeez and Kamran looked nervous from the start while facing Australian pace duo of Lee and Tait.

Brett Lee bowled with ferocious pace on a tight line and looked more dangerous of the two as he got the ball to talk. Both the batsmen were beaten regularly on the off side. He got Hafeez in his second over caught and bowled as the batsman tried to play a straight ball on the leg side. He particularly troubled Kamran on the deliveries that nipped in after pitching as he was hit on the pads on a number of occasions.

Lee exploited Kamran’s weakness brilliantly as he thudded one on his back leg right in front of the leg stump. Umpire upheld his decision of giving him out as the batsman asked for a review in a desperate hope. Asad Shafiq and Younis Khan eased Pakistan’s nerves by putting a solid partnership of 53 runs for the third wicket. Asad in particular was neither overawed by the occasion nor by the opposition as he played well within himself.

This was Brett Lee’s 16th World Cup match and he was yet to taste defeat. As no other bowler gave Ponting breakthrough, he turned to Lee again who did not disappoint his captain. Younis who was well set was lured into the drive by Lee to be caught at the wicket for 31 (42 balls, 4 fours). Next ball Misbah poked at another one and had the same fate to bring Australia well and truly back into the game.

The match hung in balance as Australia went for the kill sniffing opportunity. But Umar Akmal gave good company to Asad and played a few daring shots including a huge six off Krejza. They took the score to 139 in the 32nd over when Asad Shafiq found one too hot to handle from Johnson and a rising delivery was fended to Watson in the slips.

Afridi came and instead of shutting the match for Australia almost gifted them victory by playing an irresponsible heave off Krejza straight down the throat of Lee at long on. Pakistan still needed 35 runs but calm head of Abdul Razzaq ensured Australians are kept at bay. Abdul Razzaq hit two back to back boundaries off Krejza as Pakistan won the match by 4 wickets in 41 overs.

Umar Akmal remained not out on 44 off 59 balls that included 4 fours and a six while Abdul made 20. Lee was the lone warrior with the ball as he took 4 for 28 in his 8 overs. Umar was named man of the match for his enterprising batting as it was he who took Pakistan to the victory after Asad had set up the match beautifully.

With this win Pakistan has signaled to the world that they are not to be discounted any more. Australia though look strong have many things to settle especially in the batting department if they want to win the title 4th time in a row. Pakistan in all likelihood head to Mirpur for their quarter final clash with West Indies unless the latter beat India tomorrow while Australia would either face India or West Indies depending on the above result.

Match Result: Pakistan 178/6 in 41 overs (Asad Shafiq 46, Umar Akmal 44*; Lee 4/28) beat Australia 176/10 in 46.4 0vers (Haddin 42, Clarke 34; Gul 3/30, Abdul Razzaq 2/8) by 4 wickets

Man of the match: Umar Akmal