PAKISTAN wasted one and only of the greatest brutal spells of bowling seen at a World Cup as Australia progressed to a World Cup semi-final against India by a six-wicket win at Adelaide Oval happening Friday.
Wahab Riaz did all he could to assistance his side defend a meagre score of 213 with six overs of pure magical in the middle of Australia’s innings.
The speedster removed David Warner and Michael Clarke then saved his greatest for Shane Watson, who achieved to survive but looked horribly uncomfortable in the face of a short-pitched dam.
Wahab tormented Watson and must have had him caught at fine leg once he presented a simple chance to Rahat Ali.
“It was just awesome,” said Damien Fleming, of the spell.
Shane Warne additional: “That’s one of the best fast bowling spells I’ve seen in a long, long time.”
Wahab strapped the speed gun past 148km/h while taking 2/24 in six overs but Watson survived and started to flourish against the rest of the Pakistan attack.
He ended 64 not out and with the help of Steve Smith (65) and Glenn Maxwell (44 not out) prepared enough to guide Australia home.
Maxwell was also dropped of Wahab, whose spell made a great reaction on Twitter.
5pm — AFRIDI GOES DOWN SWINGING
AARON Finch removed his third catch on the mid-wicket boundary to remove Shahid Afridi for a quick-fire 23.
The Pakistani master blaster scored four boundaries in the 15 balls he faced — including his world record 351st six in a one-dayer.
But he didn’t get totally of a Josh Hazlewood delivery to leave Pakistan 6/158 from 34 overs.
MOST SIXES IN ODI
351 — Shahid Afridi (Pakistan)
270 — Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka)
230 — Chris Gayle (West Indies)
195 — Sachin Tendulkar (India)
190 — Sourav Ganguly (India)
4.35pm — MAXWELL CHANGES THE GAME