Pakistan Get Set for Aussies With Easy Win

Northampton: Pakistan completed preparations for next week's two Twenty20 internationals against Australia at Edgbaston with a six-wicket win over Northamptonshire at Wantage Road on Saturday.

Although Zimbabwe's Elton Chigumbura made 58 not out and Alex Wakely 55, Northamptonshire's total of 133 for three rarely looked like troubling a Pakistan side for whom off-spinner Saeed Ajmal took one for 15 in four overs.

In reply, Pakistan completed victory in the 16th over, thanks mainly to Shahzaib Hossain's 64 and captain Shahid Afridi's dashing 42 off 13 balls.

Australia beat Pakistan by three wickets in a thrilling World Twenty20 semifinal in Saint Lucia in May when the teams last met in international cricket's shortest format.

It seemed Pakistan, the defending champions, had the game all but won only for Michael Hussey's unbeaten 60 to seal victory for an Australia side who subsequently lost to England in the final.

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West Indies vs Bangladesh - 3rd T20I Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan - 2nd ODI South Africa vs Pakistan - 2nd ODI 3rd ODI - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan - December 21, 07:30 GMT 3rd ODI - South Africa v Pakistan - December 22, 12:00 GMT 3rd Test - Australia v India at Brisbane Match drawn 2nd T20I - West Indies v Bangladesh at St Vincent Bangladesh won by 27 runs

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