Colombo: Australia set a daunting target of 177 runs against Pakistan in its Group A match at R Premadasa Cricket Stadium here on Saturday.
Australia won the toss and decided to bat first but could not succumb to Pakistani bowling attack.
Pakistan produced a dominating bowling performance to bowl out Australia for a paltry 176 runs in 46.4 overs in their last World Cup league match at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.
The Pakistanis have simply run through the Aussies. They choked Australia with spinners and they did it perfectly by opening with Abdur Rehman. Gul and Rehman bowled a terrific opening spell, accounting for the wicket of the in form Shane Watson in the process.
Ponting and Haddin slowly consolidated but Hafeez, who bowled a dream spell struck to remove the captain. Nothing went right for the Aussies as they had no answers to Pakistan’s spinners and found themselves reeling at 134/5 in the 35th over.
Razzaq came in as late as the 35th over but struck immediately with a couple of wickets.
Steven Smith held one end and looked to take Australia to a decent total but Umar Gul and Afridi didn’t allow any late heroics from the tail.
Australia struggled from the beginning of their innings to score against the Pakistani bowling brigade, and the dismissal of Cameron White, Ricky Ponting and Brad Haddin  in quick succession added more to the Aussies owes.
Muhammad Hafeez gave Pakistan their second breakthrough as he scalped Australian skipper Ricky Ponting.
Ponting, who made nervy 19 in 33 balls with the help of two fours, was caught by Kamran Akmal.
Ricky Ponting and Brad Haddin shared 63-run partnership for the second wicket to steady Australian innings after losing Shane Watson.
Pakistani pacer Umar Gul dismissed opener Shane Watson (9) to give world champions early blow.
In-form Watson was not in supreme touch today as he attempted to drive across the line but played down the wrong line and the ball went through the gate to rattle the stumps.
Earlier, Australian skipper Ricky Ponting won the toss and elected to bat against Pakistan.
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