World T20: Inching towards the trophy

Jamshed, bowlers guide Pakistan past Australia; to take on SL in the 1st semi.

COLOMBO:

A grand win over Australia was followed by 40 overs of anxious wait but the brilliant effort by the spinners did not go to waste as a shock 32-run win – and South Africa helping the Greenshirts with the permutations – ensured Pakistan made it to the semi-finals of the World Twenty20 for the fourth time.

Pakistan made 149 for six after being sent in to bat, before a five-man spin attack restricted Australia to 117 for seven. Saeed Ajmal claimed three for 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 and allowed Australia to ease into the semi-finals as well.

“I am grateful to see the effort put up by the boys today,” said Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez. “It was a big game for us and we needed to be at our best against a side like Australia. Once we got a good total, we knew we would do well because there was going to be help for the bowlers. Hasan was brilliant.”

Sri Lanka and the West Indies have already qualified from group one. Australia, who have never won the World Twenty20 despite taking four World Cup titles, had breezed through four consecutive matches in the tournament before being halted by Pakistan.

“Pakistan outplayed us,” admitted Australian captain George Bailey. “The ball turned a lot more than before and they used spin against us very well. The challenge for us now will be to get the winning form back in the semis.”

Australia never looked comfortable after Shane Watson and David Warner were dismissed by the fifth over with only 19 runs on the board. They needed to make 112 or more to qualify, and achieved the target when Hussey cut seamer Umar Gul to the fence off the first ball of the final over.

Earlier, 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 three for 20 for Australia. Pakistan will take on hosts Sri Lanka in the first semi-final tomorrow while Australia and West Indies will battle it out in the second semi-final on Friday.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 3^rd, 2012.