The suffering’s over

Pakistan knocked out of World T20 after 21-run defeat to Australia

MOHALI:

All-rounder James Faulkner claimed a five-wicket haul after skipper Steve Smith hit an unbeaten half-century to help Australia post a 21-run win that knocked Pakistan out of the World T20.

The victory means Australia remain in the hunt for a place in next week’s semi-finals with two wins from three matches and set up an effective knock-out tie against India on Sunday.



The stage for a comfortable Australian win was set by an unbeaten 61-run knock from skipper Smith who shared key stands with Shane Watson (44 not out) and Glenn Maxwell (30) to rescue his side from a shaky 57-3.

Faulkner took four wickets from his last six balls and also accounted for the dangerous Sharjeel Khan (30) to finish with 5-27 — the best figures by an Australian in a T20I.

Pakistan could only manage 172-8 in reply to Australia’s strong 193-4 on a docile track in Mohali.

Rookie leg-spinner Adam Zampa chipped in with two wickets in a commendable all-round show by the reigning 50-over world champions.

The defeat saw Pakistan, the 2009 winners, make a humiliating early exit from the marquee T20 tournament.

Pakistan lost wickets at regular intervals and were never really in the hunt despite a valiant counter-attack by Khalid Latif (46).

After losing opener Ahmed Shehzad (one) cheaply in the third over, Sharjeel tried to speed things up before chopping on to his stumps off Faulkner.

Umar Akmal (32) lost his wicket to Zampa and captain Shahid Afridi was stumped in what was in all likelihood his last international appearance after he danced down the track to attempt an ambitious shot to the same bowler.



Earlier in the day, Smith hit seven boundaries in his 43-ball knock and completed his second half-century in T20Is.

Watson, who has announced he will quit international cricket after the tournament, came in lower down the order and provided some late fireworks in a 21-ball knock which included three sixes.

Paceman Wahab Riaz and spinner Imad Wasim took two wickets each in an otherwise lacklustre show by the Pakistani bowlers and fielders.

I’m not fit to be Pakistan skipper — Afridi

Afridi said he was no longer up to captaining Pakistan after his team’s exit but held back from making an announcement on his possible retirement.

“I will announce it in my country. Whatever is better for the country, I will go with that,” Afridi said at the post-match ceremony in Mohali when asked if he was going to retire. “I will see my form. There is pressure, media pressure. As a player, I am fit. As a captain, I am not fit.”

Afridi is the highest wicket-taker in the history of T20Is with 97 to his name. 

Published in The Express Tribune, March 26^th,  2016.

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