Pakistan beat Australia by 4 wickets

Colombo, March 19: Despite a spirited Brett Lee show, Pakistan clinched a win over Australia by four wickets in their World Cup Group A clash at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Saturday. Australia, however, in the middle hit back as Brett Lee claimed four wickets to rattle the Pakistan top order. But, some good batting from Asad Shafiq (46), Younis Khan (31) and Umar Akmal () drove Pakistan home. With this win Pakistan jumped into the top of Group A table.

After Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson and Jason Krejza dismissed Asad Shafiq and Shahid Afridi. Lee drew first blood for the Aussies as he dismissed Mohammad Hafeez 5 (8). The ball landed on middle and hit the splice off Hafeez's bat as he tried to turn it to leg and Lee took a diving catch.

Lee's second wicket came in the form of Kamran Akmal (23), who was plump leg before the wicket of a splendid delivery that came back sharply off the seam and hit Akmal on the back leg in front of the leg stump. Lee claimed Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq, his third and fourth scalp, in two consecutive deliveries to give Pakistan a good run for their money in the low scoring thriller. Younis Khan (31) made an useful 3rd wicket partnership with Asad Shafiq of 53 runs.

Earlier, a devastating bowling and fielding display by Pakistan saw Australia dismissed for just 176 - their lowest World Cup total since 1992. Pacemen Umar Gul (3-30) and Abdul Razzaq (2-8) exposed the untested Australian batting after Ricky Ponting won the toss and decided to bat on a seemingly flat pitch, which had traces of grass.

All the other bowlers chipped in with one wicket apiece as only Brad Haddin (42), Michael Clarke (34) and Steve Smith (25) offered resistance in a match where the winner will top Group A. Pakistan, the last team to beat Australia in a World Cup way back in 1999, pressured Australia from the start and did not relinquish their grip as the defending champions lost their last seven wickets for just 59 runs.

Pakistan, who opened the attack with left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman from one end, forced an early breakthrough when paceman Gul bowled opener Shane Watson with a sharp incoming delivery for nine.

Haddin added 63 for the second wicket with Ricky Ponting (19) before Pakistan struck twice, with Mohammad Hafeez removing the Australian skipper off a miscued cut, caught by wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal. Umpire Marais Erasmus of South Africa turned down a vociferous appeal before Pakistan successfully overturned the verdict on review to leave Australia 75-2.

Left-arm paceman Wahab Riaz then had Haddin caught behind by Kamran in the 24th over. Haddin hit three boundaries and a six during his 80-ball knock. Pakistan then took four crucial wickets in the space of just 30 runs to reduce the Australians to 147-7. Cameron White was smartly run out by Misbah-ul-Haq when the batsmen tried to steal a quick single, before Razzaq bowled Clarke.

Pakistan removed dangerman Michael Hussey (12), caught off a miscued drive at short mid-wicket off Rehman, who finished with 1-34, and Mitchell Johnson (nought) was the next to go. Gul removed Jason Krejza and Brett Lee cheaply to wrap the Australian innings for their sixth lowest World Cup total. Pakistan left out Shoaib Akhtar, who on Thursday announced he would retire but brought in Umar Akmal for opener Ahmed Shahzad.