A beaming Matthew Hayden was backing Pakistan to stay on course for a berth in Sunday's T20 World Cup final against New Zealand in Dubai. Sent in to bat by Australia, Pakistan scored a formidable 176 for four in their 20 overs, courtesy blazing knocks from opener Mohammad Rizwan (67) and Fakhar Zaman (55 not out).
Teams batting first and scoring 175-plus in Dubai, have won nine out of 10 matches. But it was not to be for Pakistan Thursday night as Australia blazed to a five-wicket win with six balls remaining. An 81-run partnership between Mathew Wade and Marcus Stoinis consigned Pakistan to defeat.
(AUS vs PAK HIGHLIGHTS)