Published Sat, May 15 10 02:26 AM
Gros Islet (St Lucia), May 14 (PTI) Michael Hussey hit a 24-ball 60 to script a dramatic runchase as Australia snatched a three-wicket victory over Pakistan in the semifinals to set up a summit clash with England in the Twenty20 cricket World Cup here today. Coming at number seven, Hussey added 53 runs off just 16 balls with Mitchell Johnson (5) and blasted three sixes and a four off Saeed Ajmal in the last over as Australia romped home with one ball to spare. Earlier put into bat, brothers Kamran Akmal (50) and Umar Akmal (56) slammed blistering half-centuries as Pakistan amassed an imposing 191 for six. Chasing 192 to win, the Australians were down in the dumps at 105 for five in 12.3 overs with David Warner (0), Shane Watson (16), Brad Haddin (25), Michael Clarke (17) and David Hussey (13) back into the hut. But Cameron White played a 31-ball 43 cameo, laced with five sixes, to conjure up hopes of a successful runchase and once he was gone, Michael took the responsibility of taking Australia to the finals and hit half a dozen sixes and three fours in his 24-ball innings. Earlier, Kamran and Salman Butt (32) shared a 58-ball 82-run opening partnership to set the tone for Pakistan''s innings after inclement weather conditions delayed the start of the match by half an hour. After a watchful start to ensure no initial hiccups, Kamran and Butt went hammer and tongs, smashing Dirk Nannes, Shaun Tait, Mitchell Johnson and Shane Watson with casual disdain to reach 40 in six overs. Kamran set the ball rolling, hitting Dirk Nannes for back-to-back fours at cover and mid-off in the third over. Butt then used his bottom hand to good use to pick up his first four at cover before playing a striking square cut for another boundary in the third over off Shaun Tait. Butt meted out the same treatment to Michell Johnson in the fifth over when he danced down the pitch and slammed an outside off ball to point boundary. With Pakistan going great guns, Clarke turned to spinner Steven Smith but Kamran clobbered the Australian for a four and a six to accumulate 15 runs off his first over. MORE PTI JH ATK
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