World Twenty20: Pakistan beat Australia in high-scoring thriller
Pakistan held their nerve to edge Australia by a narrow margin of 16 runs to register their first win in the Super-10 stage.
Doug Bollinger (1/28) and Shane Watson (1/38) rocked the Pakistan batting order early by dismissing Ahmed Shehzad and Mohammad Hafeez cheaply. (All images AFP and AP)
Kamran Akmal was joined by younger brother Umar Akmal as the duo steered Pakistan out of trouble.
Despite Kamran's dismissal for 31, Umar Akmal played a sensational knock to guide Pakistan to a massive total. He fell short of a T20I century by just six runs but his knock of 94 from 54 balls included nine fours and four sixes.
Australia suffered a poor start in a steep run-chase as Zulfiqar Babar dismissed David Warner in the first over.
Shane Watson too fell cheaply and that brought Glenn Maxwell to the wicket, the man who provided a counter for Umar Akmal's sensational innings.
Maxwell and Finch joined hands to orchestrate Australia's revival and keep them alive in the run-chase.
Once set, Maxwell began to open his arms and hit fours and sixes at will to keep Pakistan on their toes.
Pakistan eyed a comeback as they put an end to the Glenn Maxwell show in the 16th over. Maxwell walked back for a swashbuckling knock of 74 from 33 balls, including seven fours and six sixes.
The final nail in the coffin for Australia came when Saeed Ajmal cleaned up Aaron Finch for 65 (54).
Umar Gul was phenomenal in the death overs and finished with figures of 2/29 in his four overs. Shahid Afridi (2/30), Zulfiqar Babar (2/26) and Bilawal Bhatti (2/36) also chipped in with two wickets each.
Australia eventually bowled out for 175 in 20 overs, falling short of Pakistan's total by 15 runs. This is Pakistan's first win of the tournament.