Four-time former champions Australia set up an explosive semifinal clash against title-holders India in the cricket World Cup semifinal after comprehensively beating Pakistan by six wickets in the mega-event’s third quarterfinal on Friday.
Australia’s hopes of chasing 214 looked in peril when Riaz removed David Warner and Michael Clarke to leave them 59-3.
But Steve Smith countered with a measured 65 and Shane Watson capitalised on a dropped catch to steer Australia home with an unbeaten 64.
Earlier, Josh Hazlewood took 4-35 as Pakistan slid from 97-2 to 213 all out.
Australia’s victory keeps them on course for a fifth World Cup victory and sets up a chance to avenge their 2011 quarter-final defeat by India in Sydney next week.
Australia’s chase was not off to a very smooth start with opener Aaron Finch departing in the third over after contributing just 2 runs. The David Warner blitzkrieg also ended pretty quickly after the dasher had made 24 off 23 deliveries, including three fours.
Pakistan had themselves to blame for the World Cup ouster as they dropped two easy catches, allowing the hosts to wriggle out of a precarious position.
Five of the Pakistan batsmen got decent starts but didn’t go on, with Sohail leading the run-scorers with 41. While Pakistan heads home, four-time champion Australia will travel to Sydney for Thursday’s semifinal against India.
