Watson stars as Australia win
Shane Watson top-scored with 81 as Australia punished lax Pakistan
fielding to win their opening World Twenty20 match by a convincing 34
run margin here on Sunday Man-of-the-match Watson’s innings was the
cornerstone of Australia’s 191 all out, made after captain Michael
Clarke won the toss.
But the all-rounder was dropped on 11 by Misbah-ul-Haq and missed on
20, again by Misbah, who couldn’t get a hand on a skied chance after
running back at long-on, with Mohammad Hafeez the unlucky bowler on both
occasions. Watson made defending champions Pakistan pay by striking four
sixes and seven fours in his blistering 49-ball innings and with David
Hussey he put on 98 in under nine overs for the third wicket.
Hussey dropped on 18 at long-off by Salman Butt, a relatively easy
chance, went on to make 53 off 29 balls with five sixes and two fours.
Hussey was especially severe on seamer Mohammad Sami, striking him
for 28 runs in the 16th over with the batsman striking four sixes,
including three in a row.
Australia’s total was effectively made off 19 overs as their innings
ended in extraordinary fashion with a five-wicket maiden from Mohammad
Aamer but by then the damage had been done.
“It’s a very good start from the boys, 191 runs in 19 overs,” said
Clarke “The bowlers then did a great job in the first six overs and the
boys caught really well as well.” Watson added:
“It’s nice when you do get a life, especially in Twenty20, it’s nice
to get a reprieve.”
Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi said his team had been outplayed in
all departments.
“We missed some opportunities and the pacers struggled with their
line.
“They (Australia) played very well, they batted, bowled and fielded
well.”
Pakistan lost Kamran Akmal for nought to the first legitimate ball of
their reply when he sliced Dirk Nannes to Steven Smith at short third
man.
Salman Butt (15) miscued an attempted hook off fast bowler Shaun Tait
and was caught by David Hussey before left-arm quick Mitchell Johnson’s
second ball proved too much for Mohammad Hafeez, who pulled straight to
deep square leg.
Australia, holding their catches, had reduced Pakistan to 34 for
three inside five overs and they never looked like recovering from such
a start.
Tait then had the satisfaction of bowling hard-hitting batsman Afridi
for 33 before finishing the match by dismissing Saeed Ajmal off the last
ball to finish with figures of three wickets for 20 runs.
Misbah top-scored for Pakistan with 41 in a total of 157 all out.
GROS ISLET, Saint Lucia, Monday (AFP) - |
