Captain Shoaib Malik and Misbah-ul Haq put on a century partnership as Pakistan stunned Australia by six wickets in a Twenty20 World Championship match at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Tuesday.
The pair put on 119 off 78 balls for the unbroken fifth wicket to help their team recover from 46-4 and surpass Australia’s 164-7 with five balls to spare in a Group F match of the Super Eight stage.
Man-of-the match Misbah smashed 66 not out off 42 balls and Malik chipped in with an unbeaten 52 as Pakistan virtually assured themselves of a place in the semifinals.
Pakistan’s second win in the group, following the 33-run win over Sri Lanka on Monday, left them needing a point against Bangladesh in Cape Town on Thursday to move into the last four.
Australia, who must beat Sri Lanka on Thursday to stay in contention for the semifinals, were left to ponder the jinx that the Wanderers ground holds for them.
It was Australia’s first appearance at the historic venue since South Africa successfully chased their formidable 434 with one ball to spare in a memorable one-day international in March 2006.
Malik and Misbah came to the crease with Pakistan tottering at 46-4 after Stuart Clark grabbed three wickets in his first seven deliveries.
Misbah cracked seven boundaries and a six and Malik hit four fours and two sixes to give Pakistan an emphatic victory over one of the most formidable teams in the 12-nation tournament.
The winning run came through a waist-high full toss bowled by Andrew Symonds, which was signalled a wide.
The success was set up by young left-arm seamer Sohail Tanvir, who claimed 3-31 in four impressive overs to keep the formidable Australian batting down to 164-7.
The 22-year-old led a disciplined bowling performance by the Pakistanis after Malik won the toss and elected to field in good batting conditions.
The Australian innings was marked by just one six from Michael Hussey, who top-scored with 37 off 25 balls.
Hussey and Brad Hodge put on 63 in 40 balls for the fifth wicket to boost the total after Australia were struggling at 92-4 in the 12th.
Australia were rattled at the start by Tanvir, who dismissed openers Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist in his first two overs.
Hayden flicked a catch to mid-wicket after making one and Gilchrist, who smashed 24 off 12 balls, was caught at point to leave Australia 32-2 in the four over.
Symonds helped captain Ricky Ponting add 48 for the third wicket, himself making an 18-ball 29 when he was bowled by leg-spinner Shahid Afridi in the ninth over.
Three overs later, Ponting attempted to pull Mohammad Hafeez, missed the line and was bowled for 27 to leave his team at 92-4 in the 12th.
Hussey struck the only six of the innings in the 16th over when he lofted Afridi over the straight field and then flicked a boundary later in the over.
Tanvir returned for his final over to dismiss the dangerous Hussey before Mohammad Asif claimed Brad Hodge for 36. — AFP
