Faulkner and Smith eliminates Pakistan from World T20
World T20, 26th Match, Super 10 Group 2: Australia v Pakistan at Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali, Mar 25, 2016
Australia 193/4 (20/20 ov) SPD Smith 61 off 43, 7 fours, SR Watson 44 not out off 21, 4 fours, 3 sixes, Glen Maxwell 30 off 18, 3 fours and 1 six, Wahab Riaz 35-2, Imad Wasim 31-2
Pakistan 172/8 (20 /20 ov) Khalid Latif 46 off 41, 4 fours and 1 six, Umar Akmal 32 off 20, 3 fours and 1 six, Shoaib Malik 40 not out off 20, 2 fours and 2 sixes, Sharjeel Khan 30 0ff 19, 6 fours, JP Faulkner 27-5, A Zampa 32-2, JR Hazelwood 26-1
Australia won by 21 runs.
Australia won the toss and elected to bat first, with captain Steven Smith found his form with is Valiant 61 runs off 46 balls, helped by Shane Watson 44 not out added 74 in 38 balls as Amir and Sami conceded 92 between them without taking a wicket, and posted a steep total for Pakistan to chase.
Pakistan’s chase began with good intentions from Sharjeel Khan 30 off 19 , Khalid Latif 46 off 41 and Umar Akmal 32 off 20. At this stage Pakistan were 85-2 in the 11th over, with Zampa taking the wicket of Akmal and Afridi. After that the required run rate climbed and not even Shoaib Malik’s antics could win them the match.
James Faulkner’s over the wrist slower balls produced 5/27 produced the best for Australia in T20Is, abdf also became the first bowler to take a five-wicket haul for Australia in T20Is.