Published: Mar 20, 2015, 05:57 PM (IST)
Edited: Mar 20, 2015, 09:52 PM (IST)
In the end, the better side won. There were fifties, wickets taken, but in the end it was a bowling spell from Wahab Riaz, which will be remembered for a long-long time to come. With this loss, ended Pakistan’s ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 campaign. They lived up to their ‘unpredictable’ tag, starting with two defeats in the tournament to reaching the quarter-final and going down after yet another below par performance. Australia were clinical in the third quarter-final match of the tournament in Adelaide as they won convincingly by six wickets and 16.1 overs to spare. (In Pictures: Moods and Moments from Australia vs Pakistan, Adelaide)
Pakistan had won the toss and chose to bat first and straightaway were on the back-foot losing two quick wickets. The Australian bowlers showed their skills and didn’t allow Pakistani batsmen couldn’t get any big partnerships going. Haris Sohail (41) top scored as Misbah-ul-Haq (34), playing his last One-Day International (ODI), aided Haris as Pakistan only managed to 213 all out in 49.5 overs. Shahid Afridi (23), also playing his last ODI, showed glimpses in his typical short innings but failed to score huge. The Australian bowling always has someone ready to be replaced, with Pat Cummins injured; Josh Hazlewood (four for 35) made a comeback and immediately made an impact in the game. Mitchell Starc (two for 40) reclaimed the highest wicket taker position in the tournament with 18 wickets as Glenn Maxwell (two for 43) chipped in too.
The chase was always on from Australia despite losing three wickets for 59. It was that period when Wahab Riaz (two for 54) bowled one of the best spells of the World Cup, and it was absolutely a treat to watch. (Australia vs Pakistan: Pick of the tweets)
Wahab’s aggression against Shane Watson (64*) worked brilliantly as Watson was almost caught; Rahat Ali dropped a sitter at the boundary line. Wahab bowled 18 dot balls to Watson, most of which the Australian all-rounder had to duck in or just play it out anyhow and in process getting hit on the body. It wasn’t enough as Steve Smith (65), Watson and Glenn Maxwell (44*), finished off the game easily in the end as Wahab got no support from his fellow bowlers, all who went for runs rather cheaply. Australia got to 216 for four in just 33.5 overs.
Josh Hazlewood was declared the man-of-the-match for his brilliant spell of bowling. Australia with the win, marches into the semi-final to face India in Sydney on Thursday, March 26. (READ: Families cheer for their ‘Men in Yellow’)
Brief Scores:
Pakistan 213 all out in 49.5 overs (Haris Sohail 41, Misbah-ul-Haq 34; Josh Hazlewood 4-35, Mitchell Starc 2-40, Glenn Maxwell 2-43) lost toAustralia 216 for 4 in 33.5 overs (Steve Smith 65, Shane Watson 64*, Glenn Maxwell 44*; Wahab Riaz 2-54) – by six wickets
