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Pakistan celebrate the wicket of Australia's Shane Watson |
Australia’s unbeaten run of 34 world cup games which began in 1999 and continued through the 2003 and 2007 tournaments was finally ended when they were beaten by Pakistan by four wickets on Saturday.
Australia and Pakistan squared off in the final match of group A in an encounter which would have determined who tops group A. For Pakistan this was an opportunity to flex their muscles before a potential meeting with India, for Australia it was their first real test of the tournament following the washout of their game against Sri Lanka.
Australia won the toss and Ricky Ponting did not hesitate in electing to bat first, on a wicket that promised to spin as the game wore on. Pakistan went into the match with no Shoaib Akthar, while Umar Akmal returned to the side.Read more
Australia’s opening pair has had a decent time of the tournament, registering two century opening partnerships. However, on this occasion Shane Watson and Brad Haddin were unable to break loose as the Pakistan opening bowlers kept to a tight line and length. Shane Watson was the first to go as he drove on the up to lose his off stump to an inswinger from Umar Gul. The arrival of Ricky Ponting saw the scoring lift slightly, as the added 63 for the second wicket.
With the momentum gradually shifting towards Australia, Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi turned to part-time spinner Mohammed Hafeez who immediately broke through trapping Ricky Ponting lbw for 19. This wicket signalled a change of fortune for Pakistan as the Australian batsmen began to look uncomfortable against the spinners. Brad Haddin departed shortly afterwards as he was caught behind off the bowling off Wahab Riaz. Michael Clarke and Cameron White attempted to rebuild, only for the big hitting Victorian to be run out following a mix-up between himself and Clarke. As Pakistan continued to make inroads into the batting line up; the Australian batsmen showed an inability to cope with the spin on a wicket which was turning and keeping low.
Michael Clarke and Mike Hussey failed to rebuild the innings as Clarke was bowled by Abdul Razzaq attempting a hoick across the line. Steven Smith entered and played his shots while wickets continued to tumble at the other end. Umar Gul returned in the 42nd over and cleaned up the tail bowling Australia out for the first time in World Cups since 1999.
Facing a meagre total of 176 the Pakistan openers looked to immediately take the attack to the Australian bowlers. Short and wide bowling by Shaun Tait helped their cause as he failed to exert any pressure. On the other end Brett Lee bowled as though he was possessed, steaming in delivering at over 140 kmph. Brett Lee’s persistence paid off as he clutched a superb return catch off Mohammed Hafeez. He followed this wicket up with the dismissal of Kamran Akmal, who had survived two earlier shouts for LBW.
However, Australia’s backup bowlers failed to continue to maintain the pressure as Younus Khan and Asad Shafiq put on a 54 run partnership. The failure of the bowlers to get a breakthrough saw Ricky Ponting bring back Brett Lee who struck immediately with the key wickets of Younis Khan and Misbah ul Haq off consecutive deliveries. His hat-trick ball was kept out by the returning Umar Akmal.
This wickets sparked new life in a game that appeared to be meandering towards a tame end. Pakistan lost their Afridi cheaply and at one stage for 143 for 6 by Umar Akmal unbeaten on 44 with Abdul Razzaq on 20 not out saw them through to victory. For Australia the stand out bowler was Brett Lee who picked up four wickets conceding only 28 runs in 8 overs.
Pakistan ironically was the last team to beat Australia in World Cup Cricket back in 1999 in Edgbaston. Today’s game featured two survivors from that encounter – Australia’s Rick Ponting and Abdul Razzaq of Pakistan.
The Sunday Leader - By Dinouk Colombage
