Australia hit Pakistan to set up semi-finals showdown with India

Australia's batsmen Shane Watson (left) and Glenn Maxwell celebrate their victory against Pakistan in their 2015 Cricket World Cup quarter-final match at the Adelaide Oval on March 20, 2015. PHOTO | SAEED KHAN |

What you need to know:

  • Australia to face defending champions India in the semi-final on March 26.
  • Australia beat Pakistan by four wickets in the hotly contested quarter-final tie
  • Skipper Misbah-ul-Haq won the toss and batted first on a good Adelaide Oval pitch.
  • Australia wore black armbands as mark of respect for former prime minister Malcolm Fraser who died earlier on Friday

SYDNEY

Australia overcame Pakistan on Friday to set up a World Cup semi-final with defending champions India, as the International Cricket Council took the extraordinary step of rebuking their own president in a row over 'biased' umpiring.

Pakistan, the 1992 champions, collapsed to 213 after skipper Misbah-ul-Haq won the toss and batted first on a good Adelaide Oval pitch.

Recalled Australia fast bowler Josh Hazlewood took four for 35 in an innings where Haris Sohail top-scored with 41 and put on 73 for the third wicket with Misbah (34).

But a spirited Pakistan reduced Australia to 59 for three, with left-armer Wahab Riaz (two for 54) capturing the prize wicket of home captain Michael Clarke for just eight in a superb spell of fast bowling.

However fine leg Rahat Ali dropped a routine catch after all-rounder Shane Watson, then on four, top-edged a Wahab bouncer. It was a key moment, with Australia then 83 for three.

Steven Smith's composed 65 steadied Australia before Watson, 64 not out and Glenn Maxwell, also dropped off the luckless Riaz on his way to an unbeaten 44, saw the tournament co-hosts to a six-wicket win in the 34th over.

"It was a close game, in the end our bowlers did a great job and we were strong in the field," said Clarke.

Pakistan's defeat meant this match became a final one-day international before retirement for both the 40-year-old Misbah and fellow veteran Shahid Afridi, who bowed out with a typically quickfire 23.

"It is disappointing...but Australia deserve it," said Misbah. Turning to Riaz, he added: "I have never seen a bowler bowling like that and if that catch had been taken who knows what could have happened?"

Australia, wearing black armbands as mark of respect for former prime minister Malcolm Fraser, who died earlier on Friday, will now play India in Sydney on March 26.