THIS IS what makes Pakistan cricket team most dangerous, the capacity to bounce back and dethrone the champions. What a revenge it was for Pakistan cricket fans in their first meeting since the semi-final in St Lucia.They defeated Aussi team by 23 runs.
After the fall of top order Umar Akmal 64 off 30 brought back the Pakistan side in the game. Umar’s fastest 20:20 half century by a Pakistani player helped Pakistan to click 167 in the score-board.
Umar’s 20-ball half-century entertained the local crowd and it is his highest score in 20:20 internationals. Shaun Tait bowled him out in 19th over. But by that time it was a respectable score to give their bowlers a chance.
And they did it perfectly well. Mohammad Aamer, did enough to strangle Australia's run-rate and deny Michael Clarke's men, who couldn't chase down 168.
Shoaib Malik partnered well with Umar and fetched 51-run including 20 off one over, as Malik launched a stinging attack on David Hussey's offspin.
After losing 4 wickets at just 47 in eight over it looked they might not be able to finish the 20 over slot. Umar and Malik came together after the loss of the captain Shahid Afridi, who was sent on his way for a golden duck when he tried to sweep a Smith full toss, missed, and was given lbw.
Saeed Ajmal did all in last over, he fittingly collected the final wicket as Australia fell to a 23-run defeat.
Shahid Afridi and Umar Gul spell dried the run from Aussi score board. Gul delivered yorker after yorker, and Afridi altered his pace and angle to keep Warner and David Hussey guessing during their 52-run stand.
Continuing his dismal 20:20 performance Michael Clarke dismal was caught for 5, trying to force Abdul Razzaq through cover.
Aamer (3 for 27) began the strong bowling effort by trapping Shane Watson lbw in the first over of the chase, before he returned to snare the key wickets of Cameron White and Steven Smith.
Pakistan Score Board
Batsman Pakistan(167/8 in 20 ovs) Runs Balls 4's 6's SR
S Buttc D Warner & b D Hussey 13 21 1 0 61.9
S Hasanc D Hussey & b D Nannes 0 1 0 0 0
K Akmal(wk)runout (D Hussey) 23 19 2 1 121.05
S Malikc T Paine & b D Nannes 21 18 3 0 116.67
S Afridi(c)lbw S Smith 0 1 0 0 0
U Akmalb S Tait 64 31 7 3 206.45
A Razzaqb S Tait 7 11 0 0 63.64
M AamerNot out 11 13 0 0 84.62
U Gulrunout (D Nannes) 10 6 0 1 166.67
S Akhtardnb 0 0 0 0 0.00
S Ajmaldnb 0 0 0 0 0.00
Extrasb - 0, lb - 1, w - 16, nb - 1, Total - 18
Total:(167 for 8 in 20 overs) 167Run Rate: 8.35
Australia Score Board (144/10 in 18.4 ovs)
Batsman Runs Balls 4's 6's SR
D Warnerb S Ajmal 41 31 6 0 132.26
S Watsonlbw M Aamer 0 2 0 0 0
M Clarke(c)c S Afridi & b A Razzaq 5 6 0 0 83.33
D Husseyc S Malik & b S Afridi 34 28 4 1 121.43
C Whitec S Afridi & b M Aamer 17 13 1 1 130.77
M Husseyb U Gul 18 15 3 0 120
S Smithb M Aamer 12 8 2 0 150
Tim Paine(wk)b U Gul 1 4 0 0 25
M Johnsonst K Akmal & b S Ajmal 3 3 0 0 100
D NannesNot out 0 0 0 0 0.00
S Taitst K Akmal & b S Ajmal 6 3 0 1 200
Extras:b - 0, lb - 3, w - 3, nb - 1, Total - 7
Total:(144 for 10 in 18.4 overs) 144 Run Rate: 7.71