MOHALI (Staff Report) –Australia beat Pakistan by 21 runs in a high scoring match.
Earlier, skipper Steven Smith led from the front with an unbeaten 61 to propel Australia to an imposing 193-4 against Pakistan in a must-win World Twenty20 group match on Friday.
Australia won the toss and elected to bat first. Smith smashed unbeaten 61 runs while Watson scored quick 44. He also remained unbeaten. Maxwell made the vital contribution of 30 runs.
Wahab Riaz and Imad Wasim picked up two wickets each for the side.
In their chase, Pakistan were always behind the required run-rate as Sharjeel Khan (30) and Khalid Latif (46) tried to guide the team past the finishing line.
Shoaib Malik also made an important contribution of 40 runs off just 20 balls but to no use for Pakistan.
For Australia, James Faulkner bagged a five-for courtesy two braces in the 18th and 20th over.
The Aussies must now beat India on Sunday to reach the knockout stage.
A convincing win in the end for #AUS. Their match with #IND will be huge!https://t.co/1Zsk3yuKaW #AUSvPAK #WT20 pic.twitter.com/CqhOxHwEEf
— ICC (@ICC) March 25, 2016
