ICC World T20 2016, Highlights, Pakistan vs Australia: Faulkner Five-Wicket Haul Helps Aus Eliminate Pak, Set Up Virtual Knock-Out Versus India
Pakistan lost to Australia by 21 runs as they were eliminated from the ICC World T20. This result means the India v Australia clash is a virtual knock-out. Relive all the moments here.
Highlights
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An Australian win will knock out Pakistan
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Pakistan need to win big to bolster their net run-rate and stay alive
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This could be Shahid Afridi’s last international match
Chasing 194, Sharjeel Khan gave Pakistan a fast start but Australia pulled things back thanks to James Faulkner. He dismissed Sharjeel and he was well-supported by Adam Zampa who chipped in with two wickets. Faulkner picked up his maiden five-wicket haul as Pakistan lost by 21 runs to bow out of the World Cup. This result means the India v Australia clash is a virtual knockout. Relive all the moments here. (SCORECARD | POINTS TABLE | NEWS | VIDEOS)
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18:35 hrs IST: That is all we have from Mohali. The next match is a big one. It is between West Indies and South Africa. If West Indies win the match, they will go through to the semis. If South Africa win, the whole group will be wide open.
18:33 hrs IST: Steven Smith: We haven't quite played to our potential yet in the first two games. Today was a clinical performance and I'm proud of the boys.
Shahid Afridi: I'll go back home and then make a decision [about retirement]. I'll do what's best for the team. I want to thank the management, the players who have supported me. I want to thank the people of Kolkata who gave us a lot of support. Also want to thank the people of Kashmir who came down for supporting us.
18:20 hrs IST: Australia win by 21 runs and they have knocked Pakistan out. This sets up a virtual knockout clash against India in Mohali on Sunday. James Faulkner picks up his maiden five-wicket haul. His haul of 5/27 is the best by an Australian bowler in T20Is.
18:12 hrs IST: Malik slams a six and a four off the last two balls of Coulter-Nile. Pakistan need 30 off 6 balls.
18:08 hrs IST: WICKETS! Latif b Faulkner 46 (41) | Imad Wasim c Coulter-Nile b Faulkner 0 (1) || Overs 17.3 and 17.4.
That could be the game for Australia. Faulkner bowls two back-of-the-hand slower balls and Latif and Imad Wasim depart.
18:04 hrs IST: Pakistan need 49 runs off 18 balls. James Faulkner to bowl the 18th over. The last overs hurt Pakistan. Can they redeem themselves?
18:02 hrs IST: Watson bowled three full balls which went for only one. On the fourth ball, he bowls a short ball and Malik goes for the pull, he top-edges it to third man for a boundary.
18:00 hrs IST: After 16 overs, both Pakistan and Australia were 135/4. Shoaib Malik needs to step up.
17:57 hrs IST: Shoaib Malik slams a big six as Pakistan hang in. However, it will not be easy and Australia will be aiming to choke the flow of runs.
17:54 hrs IST: Khalid Latif is striking some blows but the asking rate is becoming too high for comfort.
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17:49 hrs IST: WICKET! Shahid Afridi st Nevill b Zampa 14 (7) || Overs 13.2.
The Afridi show ends. Tossed up delivery and it spins away, Afridi dances down the track but misses the slog, he is stumped by a long way. This could be the last time one sees Afridi with the bat.
17:47 hrs IST: BANG! Afridi launches Zampa for a big six down the ground. Until he is there, Pakistan will be in the game.
17:45 hrs IST: Khalid Latif slams a couple of boundaries off Nathan Coulter-Nile as Pakistan stay in touch with the run-rate
17:44 hrs IST: In the air but safe! Coulter-Nile bangs a short delivery on middle stump, Afridi goes for the hook shot but top edges it and the ball lands safely in deep square leg.
17:42 hrs IST: The Shahid Afridi is show is on. He swings a flighted delivery from Maxwell over long on for a six. This will be interesting.
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17:38 hrs IST: WICKET! Umar Akmal b Zampa 32 (20) || Overs 10.3.
Tossed up from Zampa on middle and off, Umar Akmal goes for the sweep but he is flummoxed by the slow flight, he misses it and the ball crashes into the stumps.
17:35 hrs IST: In the air but safe! Umar Akmal pulls a short ball from Zampa to deep mid wicket, the ball goes high and Maxwell loses it in the lights, he comes forward but cannot get to the catch.
17:32 hrs IST: Glenn Maxwell is into the attack. Umar Akmal attempts a late cut and the edge just goes past Peter Nevill. The asking rate is over 10.
17:27 hrs IST: Khalid Latif breaks the shackles by slamming an 88-meter six of Faulkner. Pakistan need more such hits. After nine overs, Pakistan are 73/2.
17:22 hrs IST: Poor start for Watson. Umar Akmal goes after him by slamming a couple of fours and a six. Adam Zampa is into the attack.
17:18 hrs IST: Umar Akmal gets going in style. Clears the front leg and slams a length ball from Watson into the stands at deep mid wicket.
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17:17 hrs IST: Umar Akmal comes in. The task on him and the lower middle-order is enormous.
17:15 hrs IST: WICKET! Sharjeel Khan b Faulkner 30 (19) || Overs 5.3.
That is a massive wicket. Short ball just outside off, Sharjeel goes for the pull but drags it back on to the stumps.
17:11 hrs IST: After five overs, Pakistan are 36/1. James Faulkner comes into the attack and he is greeted with a short-arm pull to deep backward square leg by Sharjeel.
17:07 hrs IST: Sharjeel continues to bat aggressively. So far, he has smashed five boundaries so far.
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17:03 hrs IST: WICKET! Ahmed Shehzad c Coulter-Nile b Hazlewood 1 (6) || Overs 2.5.
Poor shot from Shehzad. Length ball outside off, Shehzad goes for the lofted drive but miscues it totally, Coulter-Nile runs from mid-off and takes the catch.
16:58 hrs IST: Sharjeel gets going with three boundaries off Nathan Coulter-Nile. In the next over, he targets Hazlewood with a boundary.
16:54 hrs IST: Good start for Hazlewood. Gives away two runs. He was getting some swing. Nathan Coulter-Nile comes at the other end and he troubles Sharjeel with some inswing.
16:50 hrs IST: Josh Hazlewood will open the bowling. Sharjeel on strike with a slip in place.
16:48 hrs IST: Pakistan need to take inspiration from Australia's chase of 197 in their World Cup clash in 2010 in St.Lucia. Michael Hussey played a freakish innings? Can any Pakistani batsman repeat it in 2016?
16:45 hrs IST: Welcome back to the Pakistan run-chase. They will be aiming for a good start while Australia will be determined to ensure they clinch this match. Can Sharjeel Khan repeat his heroics from the last match?
16:30 hrs IST: Amir concedes 14 runs in his final over as Watson smashes him for a four and six. Australia have ended up on 193/4 in 20 overs. This is a tall task for Pakistan, who are not good chasers.
16:25 hrs IST: Riaz concedes 12 runs. However, the highlight was a shot from Smith. The batsman moves to the off side and Riaz follows him with a full ball, Smith whips it to deep mid wicket.
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16:19 hrs IST: Sami concedes 15 runs in his fourth over. His overall figures read 4-0-53-0.
16:18 hrs IST: Steven Smith notches up his second fifty. Watson continues the carnage by slamming Sami for a six.
16:16 hrs IST: Danger signs for Pakistan. Watson lofts Amir for a six and a four and the bowler concedes 17 runs in his third over.
16:11 hrs IST: Watson wins the first round by pulling Wahab to the fine leg boundary. Australia will be aiming to get past 170.
16:06 hrs IST: Shahid Afridi finishes his spell. 4-0-27-0. This could be his last. Now, it is time for Wahab Riaz vs Shane Watson part two. In the 2015 World Cup, the clash between Wahab and Watson was the defining image of the tournament. Can this one live up to the hype?
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16:01 hrs IST: WICKET! Glenn Maxwell c Shehzad b Imad Wasim 30 (18) || Over 13.4.
Pakistan break the 62-run stand at a crucial time. Maxwell slams a flighted ball to long on but he mistimes it, easy catch for Shehzad.
15:59 hrs IST: Sami is struggling here. He gives away two fours and a six as he concedes 17 runs in his over. Australia looking good in excess of 150-160
15:55 hrs IST: Mohammad Sami into the attack. How much can Australia muster in the final overs?
15:49 hrs IST: Missed run-out! Maxwell would have been a goner if that had hit. Smith tapped a flatter ball to point and Maxwell set off for a single, Smith sends him back and the fielder misses with the shy at the bowler's end. Maxwell would have been a GONER!
15:45 hrs IST: Smith and Maxwell are negotiating the spinners well. After 10 overs, Australia are 77/3 after 10 overs.
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15:39 hrs IST: Great shot from Smith. Imad floats it down the leg side and Smith connects with the sweep, the ball goes to fine leg and the fielder dives over the ball to allow it to the boundary.
15:38 hrs IST: WICKET! Aaron Finch b Imad Wasim 15 (16) || Overs 7.2
The arm ball from Imad, Finch attempts the late-cut but misses it and he is bowled. Australia are in deep trouble.
15:34 hrs IST: Steady start for Afridi in his first over. He concedes just five runs.
15:32 hrs IST: Shahid Afridi is into the attack. Pakistan will have to capitalise on the double-strike by Wahab Riaz.
15:30 hrs IST: Poor fielding from Mohammad Sami and Steven Smith runs four runs, that is a rare sight. Australia 52/2 after six overs.
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15:26 hrs IST: WICKET!David Warner b Wahab Riaz 9 (6) || Over 5.1
Brilliant from Wahab Riaz. 148 kmph full ball, Warner is late in getting the bat down as he looks to work it to the leg side, the ball crashes into middle and leg stump.
15:21 hrs IST: Pakistan's bowlers are inconsistent with the line and length. Sami bowls it short and wide outside off, Finch cracks the cut to deep backward point for his first boundary.
15:20 hrs IST: Short ball from Riaz and David Warner, promoted no No.3, gets going with a cracking square cut.
15:18 hrs IST: WICKET! Usman Khawaja b Wahab Riaz 21 (16) || Over 3.4.
Khawaja makes room and looks to flay it to the off side, he gets beaten by the yorker on middle stump, he misses and the ball crashes into the stumps. Wahab Riaz pumped up.
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15:14 hrs IST: CRACK! Wahab Riaz is into the attack and he gets smashed for a 82-meter six. Next ball, he survives a close LBW shout. It was the side of the hand slower leg-cutter
15:10 hrs IST: Beaten again! Amir is troubling Khawaja. The off-cutter just outside off, Khawaja plays inside the line of the delivery and gets beaten.
15:09 hrs IST: Poor fielding from Shoaib Malik. Short ball angled wide of off stump, Khawaja slams it to point and Malik fails to get behind the ball at point, it goes in between his legs for a boundary.
15:06 hrs IST: Poor start for Mohammad Sami. He starts off with a wide short ball down the leg side and Khawaja slams him for a boundary to fine leg. He loses his shape on the third ball as he slants a very wide delivery outside off, wide signalled.
15:05 hrs IST: India will be watching this match with tremendous interest as the result could have a bearing on their last league game. This is how.
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15:04 hrs IST: Action packed first over from Amir. He beats Khawaja thrice, gets a streaky four. Australia 5/0 after the first over
15:02 hrs IST: Outside edged and four. That edge is heavy and the ball races away. This delivery straightens outside off, Khawaja is turned around and the ball races off the outside edge to deep extra cover.
15:01 hrs IST: Tentative start for Khawaja. Amir gets some swing outside off and the left-hander leaves the ball tentatively. Next ball, he has a feel at a wide delivery and he misses it. On the third ball, Khawaja hangs his bat out to a ball that nips away and he is beaten again.
15:00 hrs IST: Aaron Finch and Usman Khawaja are out in the middle. Mohammad Amir will open the bowling for Pakistan.
14:55 hrs IST: The national anthems of Pakistan and Australia are done. It is time for some serious business.
14:50 hrs IST: This match is crucial for both teams. If Pakistan win this match, and Australia beat India in their last match by a small margin, then they could still go through. If Australia win this match, then the match against India is a straight shoot-out.
14:36 hrs IST: Here are the playing XIs:
Pakistan (Playing XI): Sharjeel Khan, Ahmed Shehzad, Khalid Latif, Umar Akmal, Shahid Afridi(c), Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed(w), Imad Wasim, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Sami, Mohammad Amir
Australia (Playing XI): Usman Khawaja, Aaron Finch, Shane Watson, Steven Smith(c), David Warner, Glenn Maxwell, James Faulkner, Peter Nevill(w), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
14:30 hrs IST: Steven Smith opts to bat in crucial encounter versus Pakistan. Josh Hazlewood replacs John Hastings while Wahab Riaz replaces Mohammad Irfan.
14:20 hrs IST: Pitch report: Wasim Akram says, "There is a bit of grass on this wicket. The wicket is similar to the one where Pakistan played against New Zealand. The grass is there to bind the pitch. There will be even bounce. Teams will want to bat first."
14:16 hrs IST: A warm welcome to the match between Pakistan and Australia from Mohali. This is a vital match for Australia. If they lose today, then their task of qualifying for the semi-final becomes even harder.
When Australia and Pakistan face off at the IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali, each would know that a win is the least they need in order to brighten semifinal aspirations.
If Pakistan beat Australia, then they have to wait for Australia to get the better of India and hope the net run-rate favours them. Australia, on the other hand, have to beat both Pakistan and India, whom they face at the same venue on March 27, to join New Zealand in the last four.
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Batting continues to be Pakistan's main problem. The inability of the middle-order batsmen to step up cost Pakistan dear in the match against New Zealand.
Coach Waqar Younis' frustration has clearly brimmeth over. He said Pakistan do not deserve to be in the semis. That sums up the mood in the Pakistan camp. Pakistan have to really lift themselves out of this morass.
Two cricketers - Shahid Afridi and Shane Watson - are in the last lap of their careers and will like to go out with a bang. Perfectly capable, a good show from either of them can turn things on their heads.
Afridi showed glimpses of his boom-boom form in the first match against Bangladesh. After that, his controversial comments have made more headlines.
Watson is probably more dependable but Australia are yet to see the best of him in this World T20. David Warner's form has been a concern at the top. Is he being wasted at No. 4?