We were lucky to restrict Pakistan at a low score: Ponting

Centurion:

Australia skipper Ricky Ponting lavished praise on Pakistan bowlers for making life difficult for his batsmen and said they were lucky to restrict their rivals at a low score here on Wednesday.

Australia pulled off a last-ball win against Pakistan to reach the semifinals of the Champions Trophy and Ponting said they would have to do some soul-searching before they take on England in the second semi-final on Friday.

"It was quite emotional and chilling to sit there in the dressing room and it really got too close. But we have crossed the line and we will meet England in the semi-finals in a couple of days time," Ponting said.

"We had a very good series against England over there but its different conditions here and I think they are playing really good cricket. We have to go back to the drawing board and see what went wrong in the last half an hour and make sure we play well in the next match on Friday," he added.

Ponting said his team was finding it difficult to face the Pakistan bowlers on a bouncy Centurion pitch.

"It was pretty tough to score runs. There was inconsistent bounce and pace for new ballers and it was difficult getting them away," he said.

"But we knew it will be over and spinner will come into play and I think we are very lucky to restrict them to that total because there bowlers really bowled very well and did a good job in the last half an hour," he added.

His Pakistan counterpart Younus Khan heaped praised on his bowlers for turning the game and almost curving out a victory.

"Actually after we lost the toss, Australia bowled fantastically to restrict us around 200 and they had good partnerships in the middle but suddenly our bowlers almost turn the match so I think it was a good finish," he said.

"Whenever you take wickets, there lies the game. It looked we will lose the match easily but then suddenly we had fantastic bowling from couple of our good bowlers who took wickets and we were in the game," he added.

Asked about the spongy track at the Centurion, Younus said the wicket was soft but not unplayable.

"In the morning soft, but second half it was good but generally it wasn't a bad wicket to play cricket," he said.

Asked if there are happy to take on New Zealand in the semis, Younus said it doesn't matter because it will boil down to the team which will play good cricket on the day.

"I am always happy. It doesn't matter who we play, whether it is England, Australia or any team in the semis or final. We just have to stick to our plans and play good cricket and we can be winners," he said.