MOHALI: Australia clinched easy victory against crisis-hit Pakistan by 21 runs in the crucial match played at Mohali cricket stadium which also ended up journey of Green Shirts of T20 World Cup 2016 today.
Newcomers Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif retaliated hard for their side by scoring 30 and 46 runs respectively; later, Shoaib Malik scored 40 and Umar Akmal 32 runs lifted Green Shirts to move towards 194-run target despite a failure.
The match played at Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali, Chandigarh witnessed brilliant performance of Australian bowlers as James Faulkner grabbed five key wickets while Adam Zampa took two wickets besides stopping Pakistani batsmen to score big in the match. Josh Hazlewood also managed to get one key wicket of Ahmed Shehzad.
Earlier, Skipper Steven Smith led Australia to post massive 194 runs target against Pakistan in World T20 must win game for both side here at Mohali on Friday.
Australia after winning the toss posted massive total of 193 runs thanks to some great hitting by the Smith and all-rounder Shane Watson.
Smith smashed unbeaten 61 runs while Watson scored quick 44. He also remained unbeaten. Maxwell made the vital contribution of 30 runs.
Australia posted 193 runs on loss of 4 wickets. Wahab Riaz and Imad Wasim picked up two wickets each for the side.
Australia had won the toss and elected to bat first against Pakistan in the must win game for both sides of World T20 at Mohali on Friday.
The Green Shirts made a change in the side as Wahab Riaz is in for Mohammad Irfan who had a bad day against New Zealand conceding 46 in four over and took a wicket.
Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi said he hasn’t taken retirement decision yet but will take it in front of the nation. On the other hand Australia made two changes in the side.
Pakistan XI: Shehzad, Sharjeel, Latif, Akmal, Malik, Sarfraz, Afridi (c), Imad, Amir, Wahab, Sami.
Australia XI: Finch, Khawaja, Warner, Smith (c), Watson, Maxwell, Faulkner, Nevill, Zampa, Coulter-Nile, Hazlewood.
