Australia Reached Final of T20 World Cup 2010 defeating Pakistan by 3 Wickets

Australia reached the final of twenty20 world cup 2010 after defeating Pakistan dramatically by 3 wickets in the second semi final of the tournament. Batting first, Pakistan scored 191 runs losing 6 wickets, while Australia chased the target successfully with a ball in hand losing 7 wickets.

Winning the toss, Australian captain Michael Clarke sent Pakistan to bat first, a decision that Australian bowlers failed to justify. Pakistan had a very good start with two openers contributing 82 runs in 9.4 overs. Kamran Akmal played a quick-fire innings of 50 off just 34 balls, while his opening pair Salman Butt scored 32.

Umar Akmal then followed the footstep of his elder brother by playing a blistering innings of 56 not out off 35 balls, hitting 4 over-boundaries and 2 boundaries. In the end, Khalid Latif’s 6-ball 13 and Razzaq’s 7-ball 12 helped Pakistan reach 191.

Australian pacers failed to show their dominating performance that they had displayed throughout the tournament. Nannes, Johnson, Smith and David Hussey picked up a wicket each. Except Shaun Tait, other Australian bowlers were very expensive.

Unlike Pakistan, Australia got off to a poor start to their innings, losing the wicket of David Warner in the first over. In fact, there was no effective partnership in the Australian top order. In the top order, Watson scored 16 off 9 balls and Haddin contributed with 25 runs off 20 balls.

It was actually Cameron White who revived Australia’s chase in the middle of the Australian innings. He played an effective innings of 43 off 31 balls. His innings was adorned with 5 over-boundaries.

It looked Australia’s hope came to an end when White became the third victim of Aamer in the 17^th over. However, it was Michael Hussey who kept Australia in the match till the last over. Continuing his good form in the tournament, Hussey played a match-winning knock of 60 runs not out from just 24 balls. There were 3 boundaries and 6 over-boundaries in his innings.

Australia needed 18 runs off the last over. Thanks to Michael Hussey, Australia scored the required runs from 5 balls of Saeed Ajmal’s last over. Mohammad Aamer was the most successful bowler for Pakistan with 3 wickets.