Pakistan Win But Australia into Semis

Colombo: Pakistan kept their T20 World Cup semis chances alive after beating Australia by 32 runs in the Super Eight match which left India's last four hopes in balance.

Chasing 150-run target, Australia struggled as they lost wickets at regular intervals against Pakistan in the Super Eight match of the ICC Twenty20 World Cup at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Tuesday.

Pakistani spinners were on a roll, dismissing half of the Aussie side at the score of 65 in 13.3 overs.

Raza Hasan and Mohammad Hafeez bowled remarkably well, claiming two wickets apiece to leave Australia in a spot of bother.

Australia suffered massive blows after losing in-form openers Shane Watson and David Warner in quick succession.

Pakistan spinner Raza Hasan gave Australia in the form of Watson, who got four consecutive man of the match awards. Watson was not in his elements today, scoring 8 off 14 balls.

In the next over, skipper Hafeez removed Warner to leave Australia tottering at 19/2 in 5 overs.

Nasir Jamshed and Kamran Akmal scored 55 and 32 respectively to help Pakistan post a competitive 149/6 against Australia.

Mitchell Starc was the pick of the Australian bowler, claiming three wickets for 20 runs.

Pakistan lost Nasir Jamshed, Kamran Akmal in quick succession after the pair recovered the innings with 79-run stand.

Xavier Doherty struck to dismiss Jamshed and broke the crucial third wicket that came off just 55 balls. Two balls later Pakistan suffered another blow when Mitchell Starc scalped Kamran to bring Australia back into the match.

Jamshed hammered over the bowler's head to notch up 41-ball fifty and took Pakistan to recovery after suffered early blows. Jamshed smacked four boundaries and two sixes during his half-century knock.

Aussie pacers Starc and Shane Watson dismissed Mohammad Hafeez and Imran Nazir respectively to give Pakistan early jolts.

Starc struck in his first over to give Australia first breakthrough when Hafeez tried to flick it away but missed it and caught plumb in front of the wicket.

The man in form Watson continued his dream run, giving Pakistan second blow to reduce them to 29/2 in 5.4 overs.

Brief scores
Pakistan 149 for 6 (Jamshed 55, Kamran Akmal 32, Starc 3-20)
Australia 117 for 7 (Hussey 54*, Ajmal 3-17)
Result Pakistan won by 32 runs
Points Pakistan 2, Australia 0
MOM Raza Hasan (Pakistan)