{ "id": "15243", "author": "13", "cnmid": "0", "title": "Australia eliminate Pakistan from World T20", "lang": "en", "series": "59", "cup_year": "2016", "article_type": "General", "excerpt": "", "subtype": "", "editor1": "

Mohali, March 25 (Cricketnmore): <\/strong>Australia kept themselves in contention for a place in the World Twenty20 semi-finals with a 21-run win over Pakistan at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium here on Friday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Pakistan, who ended their engagements in Group 2 with three defeats in four matches, were thus knocked out of the tournament.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Australia are now on two wins from their three matches -- the same as India -- but are ahead of the hosts on net run rate.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

India and Australia will meet in the last match of the group on March 27 and the winner will advance to the semi-finals.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Chasing a difficult 194-run target, Pakistan were never really in the race as the Australian bowlers kept them on a tight leash throughout. <\/p>\r\n\r\n

They rode on some excellent batting from Khalid Latif, Shoaib Malik and Umar Akmal to sign off at 172\/8 in their 20 overs. <\/p>\r\n\r\n

Fast bowler James Faulkner was the most successful among the Australian bowlers with figures of 5\/27 in his four overs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Left-arm spinner Adam Zampa returned figures of 2\/32 while pacer Josh Hazlewood (1\/26) also bagged a wicket. <\/p>\r\n\r\n

Khalid Latif played a patient knock for Pakistan, scoring 46 runs off 41 deliveries with four boundaries and a six.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

He received good support from Umar Akmal at the other end and the duo came up with a 45-run partnership to offer a glimmer of hope to Pakistan.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Akmal played a quickfire knock of 32 runs, studding his 20-ball stay in the middle with three hits to the fence and a six.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Shahid Afridi played a typically carefree innings of 14 runs off seven deliveries. The Pakistan captain smashed two massive sixes and was stumped while attempting another big shot off Zampa.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The in-form Shoaib Malik came up with a late fightback. He remained unbeaten on 40 runs, hitting two boundaries and an equal number of sixes in his 20-ball innings.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

But Malik did not get the required support from the other end after Latif's dismissal as Pakistan made their way out of the tournament. <\/p>\r\n\r\n

Earlier, Australia justified their decision to bat first on winning the toss by posting a daunting total of 193\/4. Steven Smith played a captain's knock, remaining unbeaten on 61 runs off 43 balls, smashing seven boundaries along the way.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Shane Watson and Glenn Maxwell played a couple of exciting, quickfire knocks later on to help Australia reach a big total.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Watson remained unbeaten after plundering 44 runs off 21 balls with four boundaries and three sixes. Maxwell smashed 30 runs off 18 deliveries with three fours and a six.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Fast bowler Wahab Riaz (2\/35) and left-arm spinner Imad Wasim (2\/31) claimed a couple of wickets each for Pakistan. <\/p>\r\n\r\n

Openers Aaron Finch and Usman Khawaja saw Australia off to a steady start. Khawaja was in good touch, scoring 21 runs off 16 balls with three boundaries and a six before being bowled by Riaz.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Riaz bowled the dangerous David Warner in his very next over with a slightly short-pitched delivery that moved in sharply after pitching.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Imad Wasim sent back Finch soon after, but Smith and Glenn Maxwell added 62 runs between them to set Australia up for a competitive total.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Watson then played a superb knock lower down the order and added 74-runs along with Smith to give Australia a strong finish.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Brief scores: Australia 193\/4 (Steven Smith 61 n.o., Shane Watson 44 n.o.; Imad Wasim 2\/31, Wahab Riaz 2\/35) vs Pakistan 172\/8 (Khalid Latif 46, Shoaib Malik 40 n.o.; James Faulkner 5\/27)<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Agency.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

\r\n

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