COLOMBO: Pakistan gave themselves a big chance of reaching the World Twenty20 semi-finals Tuesday with a shock 32-run win over Australia, who reached the last four regardless courtesy of their net run rate.
Pakistan made 149-6 after being sent in to bat in the group two Super Eights match at the Premadasa stadium, before a five-man spin attack restricted Australia to 117-7.
Prolific spinner Saeed Ajmal claimed 3-17, but it was 20-year-old Raza Hasan who was declared man of the match for conceding just 14 runs and taking two wickets in four overs of steady left-arm spin.
Both teams ended the Super Eights on four points each, which knocked winless South Africa out of the tournament.
Australia advanced to the semi-finals despite the defeat due to having the best net run-rate in the group. The result left India needing an emphatic win over South Africa later on Tuesday to stop Pakistan's progress.
Sri Lanka and the West Indies have already qualified from group one.
Veteran Mike Hussey was Australia's saviour with an unbeaten 54 off 47 balls as none of the other batsmen managed to cross 15 against the rampaging spinners.
Australia never looked comfortable after their in-form openers, Shane Watson and David Warner, were dismissed by the fifth over with only 19 runs on the board.
Australia, who needed to make 112 or more to qualify, achieved the target when Hussey cut seamer Umar Gul to the fence off the first ball of the final over.
Gul's two overs at the end were the only ones by a seamer as the spinners shared 18 overs between themselves.
Pakistan's innings revolved around left-hander Nasir Jamshed's 55 off 46 balls, which contained four boundaries and two sixes.
After the openers were removed by the sixth over, Jamshed put on 79 off 55 balls for the third wicket with Kamran Akmal, who made 32 before both batsmen were dismissed in the space of three deliveries.
Abdul Razzaq marked his return to the side in place of Yasir Arafat to make 22 from 17 balls. Left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc claimed 3-20 for Australia.
Australia: George Bailey (capt), David Warner, Shane Watson, Matthew Wade, Michael Hussey, Cameron White, Glenn Maxwell, Brad Hogg, Xavier Doherty, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins.
Pakistan: Mohammad Hafeez (capt), Imran Nazir, Nasir Jamshed, Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal, Kamran Akmal, Shahid Afridi, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Raza Hasan, Abdul Razzaq.
Umpires: Ian Gould (ENG) and Richard Kettleborough (ENG)
TV umpire: Kumar Dharmasena (SRI)
Match referee: Jeff Crowe (NZL)
View all pictures here.
COMMENTS (81)
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@Amar: Good article. It was a pleasure to read positive article and comments from sane indians. Obviously their trolls dont fall in that category.
Congratulations to the Pakistani people
As an Indian, i hope you go on and win the cup
I feel sad that India lost but then i am happy that a genuine effort was made to qualify
Abdul Razzaq 22 on 16 balls was the major difference in the 32 Runs victory over Australia.................... he must be playing in the the semi final and batting at top order.........
No offence people! Wish for the good, Pakistan must win. :)
@Ch. Allah Daad, Truth Detector, Calypso and others
Here you go - India's response to Paks T20 success, call it mean, small heart, jealous whatever you want
http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/Chunk-HT-UI-WorldCupT202012-TopStories/Making-the-most-of-good-homework/Article1-939003.aspx
Well played Pak, well done India !!
Indeed, Pakistan is displaying their good side of cricket and earning kudos for the country.
We all pray to Allah Allmighty, that against Sri Lanka they are able to continue their winning streak and not lose out on confidence and rash play.
Salams
India team is returning Mumbai by chartered flight. They played well but it was just hard luck. It's a game and they have given many best wins to India. Not sure, there is daily flight from Colombo to Pakistan. If not, you may want to block the ticket on Thursday night flight
@Rana Good point! I was just looking at Pakistan / India result in isolation. I stand corrected.
What is the general feeling of people here on losing to India too much lately and in every World cup game. As an avid follower of game, two things happen all the time. One teams dominate other for a period of time and that changes. The other thing being a team keep following the Jinx! I take in few years Pakistan will be at part with India again but I feel losing to India in WC matches is a Jinx that is hard to get rid of! Good luck to Pakistan in Semis.
Guys congo for semis we indians live the tournament with our heads held high all the best for rest of tournament cant wait for december india pak series
@Ch. Allah Daad: Stop taunting like teenage boys .. Its just a sport and meant for entertainment like it or not Indian team is still stronger than ours especially their batting. This behavior only shows our immaturity by taking every thing as if its some kind of war. It wasn't first or last tournament and hopefully there will be gazillion more like these. Whether we win or lose that won’t matter much if our team plays like professional unit and provide us some entertainment till last bowl.
@H Chaudhry: Okay , according to your philosphy.. Pakistan beat Australia so Australia should also be eliminate and as Australia beat India so it should also be eliminate ?? what u think who should play SF ??
Congratulations India for winning against South Africa.
@Nitish: really brother....u are now making yourself a laughing stock...very sad.but then hatred and biased mindsets have the ability to do so....not blaming you.
4th semi final out of four WC for pakistan. Most consistent team for T20!
Yeah baby! Pakistan through to the semi finals.
Indians don't be too harsh on your team, win or lose they are still YOUR team.
Pakistan!
Indiyaaah .... What a Shame...!
Pakistan make it into the semi finals, India is out of it naw thats what we call NEWS OF THE DAY>
Congrats all Pakistanis. In your face Indians Guess who is in the semi final and who is heading back to india.
@antsnu g: South Africa played well, and our batting was not up to the mark. The way we played in this tournament, we didn't deserve to enter the semi-final.
Pakistan will lift the trophy, Inshallah! PAKISTAN ZINDABAD!
PAK 's victory over AUS even sweeter because we kicked IND out of the Tournament!!!!
South Africa .... tum jeeto yaa haaro ..... Hummain tum say piyar hai .....
India BYE BYE!!!
Thank you S.A.
@mr. righty rightist
Have fun welcoming your team :)
@Nitish,
I smell something burning in hatred and jealously. I also sense small heart & mind.
CONGRATULATIONS to all the INDIAN trolls. Go enjoy some idlees and samosas, we will send you sweets later.
Pakistan is in Semi Final.... greaaaaat
We shouldn't make any predictions and all,there are of no use and don't work at all !! And our predictors are really boring,one prediction doesn't match with the other predictor's prediction !! And it's certainly not allowed in Islam,to check what our future holds or whatever. Like asking the parrot to choose which team will win,these are all foolishness and weakens our faith towards Allah !! And once again,stop making predictions,and don't believe in them !!
It will be easy for Australia to beat PAkistan in Finals than India. This is why Pakistan won the game today.
India must beat South Africa by 31 runs to reach the World Twenty20 semi-finals and not possible hehe
@mr. righty rightist:
Stop crying: please!
@Ch. Allah Daad:
Flight? What flight? They're going to take the banana boat home!
Hmmm!!! No more allegations of the match being fixed.
@mr. righty rightist: Don't know what did you wanna say but you need to relax! they've been sent home by the same Green dudes. Isnt it so?
Aww poor indians. Their celebrations didnt last long...ouch!
Finally we beat Australia by 32 runs,the fielding and the batting of Pak was really appreciating,Nasir Jamshed scored good runs,it wasn't looking that he'll,but finally he did. Mike Hussey too played well,and they lastly Australia scored more than 112 and qualified in semi-fianls. Both of the teams were cheerful,because of qualifying in the semi-finals !! Now it's pressure on India,they have to win by a large margin to qualify,but our prayers are still with Paki kings,Insha Allah,they will be there in semi-finals.
@mr. righty rightist: you have so so much free time to waste.....
It seems Australia has more runrate than Pakistan. So Aus is qualified.
If India beat SA by more than 31 runs, India qualifies over Pakistan.
Too bad that India Pak match is ruled out.
It would be super nice, if India beats SA and India and Pakistan qualify for the next stage outing Aus and SA.
We might get to see one more India vs Pak match.
Amazing win. One helluva match it was.
@mr. righty rightist: You know what... you can win against us... no problem... as long as we win the tournament and you go home... Pakistan will be through to semi finals... Inshallah (at the expense of India)!!!!
WELL DONE PAKISTAN!
Aussies have thrown everything to place pakis into semis.Best of luck to pakistanis.
@mr. righty rightist: It seems that you worry about India more than Pakistan! Its alright if you are Indian supporter but not if you are Pakistan supporter. Stay positive.
Well done team. Stay positive! People watch and enjoy it as a game. Don't tie your enjoyment completely with the win or defeat. Be thankful that you are enjoying it with your family, thats what is most important.
CONGRATULATIONS :)
PAKISTAN THRU TO THE SEMI-FINALS!!!
Now here is the real question.
If the Indians are sent home, indeed, then will they say that, no matter what, we beat Pakistan and we are happy?!!
Raza Hassan is an amazing talent!! loving it now!!
Ch. Allah Daad who writes "Indians please. Confirm your departue in tomorrow’s flight."
What does that even mean?
Are you asking Indian players to confirm their itinerary?
88 runs to make with 44 balls remaining which is almost impossible with the bowling attack from Pakistan but Hussey is the man for impossible!! This is getting more interesting by each ball!!
Some good news at last !! Great show by our boys !!!
Indians please. Confirm your departue in tomorrow's flight.
really, Pakistan is going to show, how they may be good, when do hard work
@AQ: Quick eat your words now!!! hehehehehe
Hafeez's strategy today is simple: SPIN SPIN SPIN....SPIN BABY SPIN!!!
15 runs short I think. 165 would have been competitive. Maybe Pakistan bowlers will prove me wrong.
Prediction - Aus will win by 7 wickets in 18 overs
Watson to score 70 Warner to score 80 Target will be chased in 17 overs...
I hope that today team playing as Do and Die in this match and given fruitful result.
same batting, same performance, same players, same managament
why poor Pakistani public suffer
sad, heart pains, many more
how will be changed
sad. we will miss you.
Pakistan is on course so far 79 for 2.
Pakistanis can't understand simple English. And Pakistanis can't think straight. They again included Imran Nazir in the team, and he played horribly as expected.
Unlcuky to lose the toss. We would have had a better chance to win bowling first. But, lets see if Jamshed and the Akmal Brothers can do the job with the bat. Good decision to bring in Razzaq!! Inshallah Pakistan will win!!