Colombo, Oct 2 (IBNS) Pakistan kept alive their World Twenty20 semi-final hopes with a 32-run win over Australia by 32 runs in a Super Eights match at the Premedasa Stadium here on Tuesday.
Despite the massive loss Australia qualified for the semi-finals having won two Super Eights matches.
Pakistan on their part, needed to restrict Australia to 112 runs to go through. But Australia, while chasing a target of 150, managed 117 for seven in 20 overs.
But it is not all over for Pakistan as the win helped them stay in the hunt for a semi-final spot. Their chances now depend on the outcome of the match between India and South Africa at the same venue
South Africa only have pride to play for while India have to win by a huge margin. If India doesn’t win by a big margin, Pakistan go through on the basis of better run rate.
In a crucial match, put into bat by Australian captain George Bailey, Pakistan made a poor start start but Nasir Jamshed hit 55 off 46 balls to steer Pakistan to 149 for six. The left-hander smashed four boundaries and two sixes after Pakistan lost the openers by the sixth over.
Jamshed was involved in a crucial 79 off 55 balls for the third wicket with Kamran Akmal (32) that helped Pakistan get a good total. Left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc claimed 3-20 for Australia.
Australia were off to a poor start losing Shane Watson (8) and David Warner (8) for 19 runs on board in the fifth over. Mike Hussey struck an unbeaten 54 off 47 balls but didn’t get much support from the other end as Pakistani spinners dried down the flow of runs.
Young spinner Raza Hasan bagged two for 14 from his four overs while skipper Mohammed Hafeez (2/22) and Saeed Ajmal (3/17) also did well.
