Kumar Sangakkara smiles at the end of his press conference

Kumar Sangakkara smiles at the end of his press conference, Colombo, April 5, 2011

©Associated Press

Kumar Sangakkara smiles at the end of his press conference, Colombo, April 5, 2011©Associated Press

Sri Lankan fans watch the World Cup final on a big screen in Colombo

Sri Lankan fans watch the World Cup final on a big screen in Colombo, April 2, 2011

©ESPNcricinfo Ltd

POSTED BY

M.USMAN ARSHAD

Sri Lankan fans watch the World Cup final on a big screen in Colombo, April 2, 2011©ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Sri Lanka win

six
Sri Lanka win

Sri Lanka v New Zealand, World Cup 2011, semi-final, Colombo

Sangakkara and Dilshan put Sri Lanka on course

Tillakaratne Dilshan

Jesse Ryder pulled off an outstanding one-handed catch at point to dismiss Upul Tharanga, as New Zealand defended their mediocre total of 217 with customary tenacity in the first semi-final in Colombo. However, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara responded with an unhurried stand of 70 in 18 overs, to manoeuvre their team into a formidable position of 116 for 1 at the halfway mark of the chase.

For the second match running at the Premadasa Stadium, there was a certain sense of inevitability to the proceedings - certainly so far as the packed and jubilant home crowd were concerned - and when Tharanga launched their run-chase by advancing down the track to club his third ball, from Nathan McCullum, straight down the ground for six, Sri Lanka were always ahead of the asking-rate.

Nevertheless, Tharanga's departure for 30 from 31 balls changed the tempo of the Sri Lankan innings, not least because the manner of his dismissal was sensational. Up until that point he had smoked four fours in addition to that six, as he continued his form where he had left off with his century against England, and he was sizing up his fifth four when he climbed into a wide one from Tim Southee and smacked a cut to Ryder's left at point.

Ryder is not the most nimble athlete at this tournament, but he saw the shot straight off the bat, flung himself horizontally to cling on his outstretched left hand, and celebrated with a fling of the arms reminiscent of Andrew Flintoff in his final Ashes series. A similar moment of fielding brilliance, from Jacob Oram, had ignited the charge against South Africa last week, and at 40 for 1, New Zealand dared to dream.

Dilshan and Sangakkara had other ideas, however. Though neither man was at his most fluent, the target was such that they did not need to rush. Sangakkara had an early let-off when he edged Oram at a catchable height through the vacant slip cordon, while Dilshan - who had been so combative against England - took 28 deliveries to score the second boundary of his innings, and his 50th of the World Cup to date.

But he went on to pass 400 runs for the tournament, en route to overtaking Jonathan Trott as the leading run-scorer, and New Zealand began to run out of ideas. Sangakkara began to nail his trademark cover-drive, with one fierce blow off Oram eluding the grasp of the fielder Martin Guptill, before Dilshan swiped the same bowler over midwicket for six, shortly after bringing up the 100 in the 24th over.

48.5 overs New Zealand 217 (Styris 57, Mendis 3-35) v Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Goes Down

Sri Lanka Goes Down
Silva falls to set up thrilling finish

Sri Lanka v New Zealand, World Cup 2011, semi-final, Colombo

Sangakkara and Dilshan put Sri Lanka on course

Jesse Ryder pulled off an outstanding one-handed catch at point to dismiss Upul Tharanga, as New Zealand defended their mediocre total of 217 with customary tenacity in the first semi-final in Colombo. However, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara responded with an unhurried stand of 70 in 18 overs, to manoeuvre their team into a formidable position of 116 for 1 at the halfway mark of the chase.

For the second match running at the Premadasa Stadium, there was a certain sense of inevitability to the proceedings - certainly so far as the packed and jubilant home crowd were concerned - and when Tharanga launched their run-chase by advancing down the track to club his third ball, from Nathan McCullum, straight down the ground for six, Sri Lanka were always ahead of the asking-rate.

Nevertheless, Tharanga's departure for 30 from 31 balls changed the tempo of the Sri Lankan innings, not least because the manner of his dismissal was sensational. Up until that point he had smoked four fours in addition to that six, as he continued his form where he had left off with his century against England, and he was sizing up his fifth four when he climbed into a wide one from Tim Southee and smacked a cut to Ryder's left at point.

Ryder is not the most nimble athlete at this tournament, but he saw the shot straight off the bat, flung himself horizontally to cling on his outstretched left hand, and celebrated with a fling of the arms reminiscent of Andrew Flintoff in his final Ashes series. A similar moment of fielding brilliance, from Jacob Oram, had ignited the charge against South Africa last week, and at 40 for 1, New Zealand dared to dream.

Dilshan and Sangakkara had other ideas, however. Though neither man was at his most fluent, the target was such that they did not need to rush. Sangakkara had an early let-off when he edged Oram at a catchable height through the vacant slip cordon, while Dilshan - who had been so combative against England - took 28 deliveries to score the second boundary of his innings, and his 50th of the World Cup to date.

But he went on to pass 400 runs for the tournament, en route to overtaking Jonathan Trott as the leading run-scorer, and New Zealand began to run out of ideas. Sangakkara began to nail his trademark cover-drive, with one fierce blow off Oram eluding the grasp of the fielder Martin Guptill, before Dilshan swiped the same bowler over midwicket for six, shortly after bringing up the 100 in the 24th over.

48.5 overs New Zealand 217 (Styris 57, Mendis 3-35) v Sri Lanka

ICC Cricket World Cup Semi final Schedule

ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 Semi final Teams, Matches Schedule

ICC Cricket World Cup Semi final(s)  Schedule

1	Tuesday 29 March 2011	2:30 PM (IST) 14:30 local, 09:00 GMT	New zealand vs Sri Lanka First Semifinal	Colombo
2	Wednesday 30 March 2011	2:30 PM (IST) 14:30 local, 09:00 GMT	India vs Pakistan Second Semifinal	Mohali
3	Saturday 02 April 2011	2:30 PM (IST) 14:30 local, 09:00 GMT	Sri Lanka VS India Mumbai	Mumbai

QF=Quarter Final

do or die in Sri Lanka v England

Sri Lanka v England, World Cup 2011, quarter-final, Colombo

Contrasting campaigners prepare to do or die

The Preview by Andrew Miller

March 25, 2011

Match Facts

March 26, Colombo
Start time 2.30pm (0900 GMT)

The Big Picture

Fifteen years ago this month, England and Sri Lanka met at the same quarter-final stage of the 1996 World Cup, only for an epoch-changing contest to pan out in front of an astounded crowd in Faisalabad. With his remarkable 82 from 44 balls, Sanath Jayasuriya not only ignited Sri Lanka's charge towards their maiden global title, he signalled the end of England as a force in one-day cricket, as they failed to reach the last four of the World Cup for the first time in the tournament's history.

Since that match, the fortunes and expectations associated with the two teams have been flipped on their head. Sri Lanka went on to crush Australia in the 1996 final in Lahore, and have since contested a semi-final in 2003 and another final four years later in Barbados. England, on the other hand, have found a range of ignominious means to bomb out at the earliest opportunity - a trait they came perilously close to emulating this time around as well, following their embarrassments at the hands of Ireland and Bangladesh.

But regardless of their numerous scares along the way, England are back in the knockouts for the first time in four World Cups, and given the excitement they have served up in the past month, their Colombo encounter once again has the makings of a humdinger. It is doubtless being greedy to expect their seventh consecutive contest to go down to the wire, but the one and only constant in England's skittish campaign has been their ability to raise their game against more fancied opposition. And make no mistake, Sri Lanka on home soil present a formidable challenge - arguably the toughest assignment that any of the quarter-finalists could have landed.

Four years ago in the Caribbean, the Sri Lankans were by some distance the best of the rest - the only team worthy of facing Ricky Ponting's invincible Australians in the final. That they failed to bring home the spoils was no disgrace whatsoever, but while Ponting and his colleagues have since been vanquished at long last, Sri Lanka are arguably a stronger outfit than ever before. Eight of the 11 men who played in that final remain in their squad today, but crucially, sentiment has played next to no part in that fact. Two legends in Jayasuriya and Chaminda Vaas have been put out to pasture, leaving the stage clear for the likes of Ajantha Mendis and Angelo Mathews to bid for their own indelible mark on the tournament's history.

To judge by the narrative of their campaign to date, England will relish their underdog status - for it is a peculiar fact that of the eight quarter-finalists, they are the only side to boast an unbeaten record in matches against their fellow qualifiers. They salvaged a tie against India before out-muscling South Africa and West Indies in a pair of Chennai thrillers, and their never-say-die spirit will doubtless prove invaluable at some stage of a high-octane encounter.

But can sheer tenacity prevail against a team so brimful with talented campaigners? Sri Lanka's top-order triumvirate of Tillakaratne Dilshan, MahelaJayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara is second only to India in terms of scorecard menace, while the breadth and variety of their attack is hard to rival - Lasith Malinga's slingers and Muttiah Muralitharan's enduring class epitomise the two extremes of a line-up that has men for all seasons and conditions. "It's going to be a significant challenge for us," remarked Andrew Strauss, never a man to cares to overstate the case.

At least England have had a chance to put down some roots in the course of an itinerant campaign. They've had nine days of down-time since their decisive victory in Chennai, and the past week has been spent in the pleasant environs of Colombo, where they will remain in the event of progressing to the semi-final. Nevertheless, the sad news of Michael Yardy's early departure to the UK once again speaks of a squad that is clinging on at the end of a draining winter, rather than clicking through its gears as the grandest prize draws closer.

Form guide

(completed matches, most recent first)

Sri Lanka WWWLW
England WLWLT

Watch out for...

It was on England's tour of Sri Lanka in 2007-08 that Graeme Swann first showcased the skills and mindset that have since propelled him to the upper echelons of the international game. It was his first England tour since his ill-fated debut in South Africa seven years earlier, and with seven wickets at 22.28 in his four games, his determination to grasp his second chance was tangible. That refusal to surrender has driven England's sketchy challenge throughout this World Cup, even in Chittagong when a dew-sodden ball drove him to distraction. He was immense in both Chennai victories, and his touch of class will be invaluable against such potent opposition.

After 492 international appearances, 1343 wickets and almost 63,000 deliveries in a 19-year career, Muttiah Muralitharan is now a maximum of three matches and 180 balls from bidding farewell to the global stage. And in the event of an England win on Saturday, it will all end precisely where it began against Australia in August 1992, at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Murali, however, will not care a jot for such elegant symmetry - even as he approaches his 40th year, he remains as fiercely competitive and enthusiastic as ever. And, as his four-wicket haul against New Zealand last week demonstrated, his wiles cannot be trifled with, least of all by an England team whose collective performance against spin has been leaden-footed in the tournament to date.

Team news

After a difficult tournament, Yardy was never likely to feature in this showdown, though his departure has been an understandable disruption to England's preparations, with Adil Rashid - his nominated replacement - still finding his way to Sri Lanka from the Caribbean. Tim Bresnan's troublesome calf has flared up once again, though he came through a fitness test without any visible concerns and has been passed fit for selection. Jade Dernbach, the surprise replacement for Ajmal Shahzad, has been preparing all week as if he is going to play, although James Anderson's big-match experience ought to earn him a recall following a fortnight out of the firing line. The identity of Strauss's opening partner has been confirmed within the squad, with Ian Bell believed to be the chosen man.

England (possible) 1 Andrew Strauss (capt), 2 Ian Bell, 3 Jonathan Trott, 4 Ravi Bopara, 5 Eoin Morgan, 6 Matt Prior (wk), 7 Luke Wright, 8 Tim Bresnan, 9 Graeme Swann, 10 James Tredwell, 11 James Anderson.

Fewer dilemmas for Sri Lanka to consider, especially now that Murali has been declared "100% fit" by his captain Kumar Sangakkara after struggling through the New Zealand victory with a hamstring strain. Sangakkara also acknowledged the potential weakness of Sri Lanka's untested middle order, but backed Thilan Samaraweera, Chamara Silva, angelo Mathews and Chamara Kapugedera as "the best players we have to do that job". One of the Chamaras - Silva and Kapu - seems set to miss out.

Sri Lanka (possible) 1 Upul Tharanga, 2 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 3 Kumar Sangakkara (capt & wk), 4 Mahela Jayawardene, 5 Angelo Mathews, 6 Thilan Samaraweera, 7 Chamara Kapugedera, 8 Nuwan Kulasekara, 9 Lasith Malinga, 10 Muttiah Muralitharan, 11 Ajantha Mendis.

Try picking the XIs for tomorrow's game by playing Team Selector.

Pitch and conditions

The pitch is flat, as they generally tend to be at the Premadasa, although the threat of thunderstorms adds an extra factor to the team's preparations. Afternoon showers on the eve of the game caused the entire outfield to be covered in tarpaulins, which may just sweat a bit more moisture to the surface for the seamers.

Stats and trivia

• England and Sri Lanka have faced each other on eight previous occasions in World Cup history, and though England eased to victory in each of the first five of those encounters from 1979 to 1992, they have lost two of the last three - including a thrilling two-run margin in Antigua four years ago.
• The overall head-to-head for the two teams could scarcely be tighter. In 44 contests, England have won 23 and Sri Lanka 21. However, Sri Lanka have won eight of their last 12 encounters, dating back to 2006.
• England did, however, achieve a notable success on their last one-day tour of Sri Lanka in October 2007 - Swann's aforementioned comeback tour. Despite losing the first game of a five-match series, they bounced back to win each of the next three for a well-deserved 3-2 victory.

Quotes

"It's not difficult for us to focus our minds on this game of cricket. It is a massive game. If we lose we're on the plane home; if we win we're in the semi-finals."
Andrew Strauss believes England's off-field distractions will be of no consequence.

"It's do-or-die for all the teams when you get to the quarter-finals. That incentive is going to be there, and both sides will feel that intensity and that pressure equally." Kumar Sangakkara prepares for his team's biggest match of the tournament to date.

Andrew Miller is UK editor of ESPNcricinfo

Paul Collingwood is welcomed by traditional dancers at Colombo

Paul Collingwood is welcomed by traditional dancers at Colombo

 World Cup 2011

 March 21, 2011

©AFP

Posted by

M.Usman Arshad

Paul Collingwood is welcomed by traditional dancers, Colombo, World Cup 2011, March 21, 2011
©AFP

pakistan win after 12 years

Australia v Pakistan, World Cup 2011, Group A, Colombo , pakistan win after 12 years

Brilliant Lee gives Australia hope

Brett Lee was single-handily trying to maintain Australia's unbeaten World Cup record with a supreme display of pace bowling to leave Pakistan 109 for 4 in pursuit of 177. The openers fell during Lee's fired-up first spell but he lacked support from his team-mates as Asad Shafiq and Younis Khan steadied the chase. However, Lee returned and claimed two wickets in two balls to give his team a vital lift.

Lee has been Australia's most consistent performer with the ball in the tournament and his opening spell here was exemplary. He could easily have removed Kamran Akmal in the first over when a top edge flew over the slips - Kamran also survived a run-out chance - and was making the ball move late. In his second over he squared up Mohammad Hafeez and made good ground to take the return catch.

A big shout for lbw against Kamran was reviewed but remained an on-field call with the ball just clipping leg and the batsman responded by taking two boundaries off Mitchell Johnson's first over. With attacking fields set by Ricky Ponting, further boundaries were notched up by Kamran and Shafiq, who had to battle some pain after twisting his ankle, but Lee kept his side in the match.

Ricky Ponting

After being carved over the covers he thundered a rapid delivery into Kamran's pads and this time he was given out by Marais Erasmus with the review unable to save him. However, Ponting knew he had to save some of Lee for later and his spell ended after five overs which released the pressure on Pakistan.

Johnson wasn't a huge threat, Shaun Tait proved expensive and Shane Watson was only steady before spin was introduced. Shafiq, who showed his composure against Zimbabwe in his first World Cup outing, played another mature hand knowing that the required rate was always in hand. Both he and Younis had a few nervous moments - with the pair edging through a vacant slip cordon - but took the requirement below a hundred.

Eventually, though, Younis flashed once too often outside off and gave a simple catch to Brad Haddin which continued his poor record against Australia. Next ball and the match was back in the balance when Misbah-ul-Haq, the other half of Pakistan's experienced middle order, hung his bat out at a Lee outswinger. Australia aren't used to losing World Cup matches and won't give this up easily.

Australia 176 (Haddin 42, Gul 3-30) v Pakistan

Pakistan produced an outstanding bowling and fielding display as Australia were hustled out for 176, their lowest completed World Cup total since 1992, on a tricky pitch in Colombo. Brad Haddin top-scored with 42 in a brittle performance from the current champions who have not been beaten in a World Cup match since May 1999. The wickets were shared around with Umar Gul taking three and Abdul Razzaq a crucial brace.

Whoever wins this match will finish top of Group A, which has a bearing on who they play in the quarter-finals and in which country. The first half couldn't have gone much better for Pakistan as all the bowlers played their part in keeping Australia under wraps while their fielding display reached rarely seen levels of excellence. Kamran Akmal had a good day behind the stumps with three catches, while the variety in the attack meant a host of wicket-taking options.

Australia have been saying how they wanted a test after easing through most of the group stage but the batting wasn't up to it on a difficult surface that offered spin and a touch of uneven bounce. Two batsmen desperate for a substantial innings, Ricky Ponting (19) and Cameron White (8), both struggled leaving the lower order exposed to spin and reverse swing.

Pakistan had an early scare when Gul pulled up at the start of his second over with a knee problem and needed attention from the physio. Whatever treatment was provided worked wonders because he produced a lovely nip-backer to beat Shane Watson's ambitious drive.

It was hard work for Australia to find momentum as Gul maintained a testing line and Abdur Rehman, the left-arm spinner, varied his pace nicely after being given the new ball. Haddin briefly broke free when he used his feet against Rehman to loft him straight for six, but it wasn't until the ninth over that the innings got a kick as Gul sprayed five wides before being pulled through midwicket.

Ponting has been scratchy during the tournament and was again unconvincing although he didn't have a huge amount of strike when he arrived. His first boundary came from a fortunate top edge after he was comprehensively beaten by a Wahab Riaz bouncer, but three balls later he produced a sweet cover drive.

Not for the first time, though, spin brought his downfall when he tried to cut Mohammad Hafeez, who produced a superb 10-over spell for 26, and got a thick edge that Kamran did well to take in the webbing of his right glove. However, it was originally given not out and the DRS was needed to overturn the decision in Pakistan's favour. Meanwhile, as the players waited for the TV umpire, there was an altercation between Haddin and the Pakistanis.

Haddin has been consistent during the tournament without reaching the three-figure score the top order needs and he couldn't convert here when he pushed at a delivery from Wahab to give Kamran his second catch. Misbah-ul-Haq missed an opportunity to run out Michael Clarke but made no mistake when his next chance came around when his throw to Kamran found White short after a laboured stay.

In Clarke and Michael Hussey, Australia had two of their in-form players together but even they found scoring tough as Shahid Afridi mixed up his bowling options. Razzaq was held back until the 35th over and made an immediate impression when Clarke missed an ugly heave against a well-disguised off-cutter which trimmed the off bail.

umar akmal

Hussey couldn't perform a rescue-act, either, when he chipped a simple catch to midwicket and the innings was coming off the rails as Razzaq produced a nippy delivery to find Mitchell Johnson's outside edge. Jason Krejza was defeated by Gul's lethal reverse swing and Steve Smith, having tried to see out the overs, chopped into his stumps against Afridi before Brett Lee carved to cover with 20 balls unused.

Andrew McGlashan is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo

Pakistan need 8 runs to win on 60 balls with 4 wickets

Australia v Pakistan, World Cup 2011, Group A, Colombo , pakistan win after 12 years

Brilliant Lee gives Australia hope

Brett Lee was single-handily trying to maintain Australia's unbeaten World Cup record with a supreme display of pace bowling to leave Pakistan 109 for 4 in pursuit of 177. The openers fell during Lee's fired-up first spell but he lacked support from his team-mates as Asad Shafiq and Younis Khan steadied the chase. However, Lee returned and claimed two wickets in two balls to give his team a vital lift.

Lee has been Australia's most consistent performer with the ball in the tournament and his opening spell here was exemplary. He could easily have removed Kamran Akmal in the first over when a top edge flew over the slips - Kamran also survived a run-out chance - and was making the ball move late. In his second over he squared up Mohammad Hafeez and made good ground to take the return catch.

A big shout for lbw against Kamran was reviewed but remained an on-field call with the ball just clipping leg and the batsman responded by taking two boundaries off Mitchell Johnson's first over. With attacking fields set by Ricky Ponting, further boundaries were notched up by Kamran and Shafiq, who had to battle some pain after twisting his ankle, but Lee kept his side in the match.

Ricky Ponting

After being carved over the covers he thundered a rapid delivery into Kamran's pads and this time he was given out by Marais Erasmus with the review unable to save him. However, Ponting knew he had to save some of Lee for later and his spell ended after five overs which released the pressure on Pakistan.

Johnson wasn't a huge threat, Shaun Tait proved expensive and Shane Watson was only steady before spin was introduced. Shafiq, who showed his composure against Zimbabwe in his first World Cup outing, played another mature hand knowing that the required rate was always in hand. Both he and Younis had a few nervous moments - with the pair edging through a vacant slip cordon - but took the requirement below a hundred.

Eventually, though, Younis flashed once too often outside off and gave a simple catch to Brad Haddin which continued his poor record against Australia. Next ball and the match was back in the balance when Misbah-ul-Haq, the other half of Pakistan's experienced middle order, hung his bat out at a Lee outswinger. Australia aren't used to losing World Cup matches and won't give this up easily.

Australia 176 (Haddin 42, Gul 3-30) v Pakistan

Pakistan produced an outstanding bowling and fielding display as Australia were hustled out for 176, their lowest completed World Cup total since 1992, on a tricky pitch in Colombo. Brad Haddin top-scored with 42 in a brittle performance from the current champions who have not been beaten in a World Cup match since May 1999. The wickets were shared around with Umar Gul taking three and Abdul Razzaq a crucial brace.

Whoever wins this match will finish top of Group A, which has a bearing on who they play in the quarter-finals and in which country. The first half couldn't have gone much better for Pakistan as all the bowlers played their part in keeping Australia under wraps while their fielding display reached rarely seen levels of excellence. Kamran Akmal had a good day behind the stumps with three catches, while the variety in the attack meant a host of wicket-taking options.

Australia have been saying how they wanted a test after easing through most of the group stage but the batting wasn't up to it on a difficult surface that offered spin and a touch of uneven bounce. Two batsmen desperate for a substantial innings, Ricky Ponting (19) and Cameron White (8), both struggled leaving the lower order exposed to spin and reverse swing.

Pakistan had an early scare when Gul pulled up at the start of his second over with a knee problem and needed attention from the physio. Whatever treatment was provided worked wonders because he produced a lovely nip-backer to beat Shane Watson's ambitious drive.

It was hard work for Australia to find momentum as Gul maintained a testing line and Abdur Rehman, the left-arm spinner, varied his pace nicely after being given the new ball. Haddin briefly broke free when he used his feet against Rehman to loft him straight for six, but it wasn't until the ninth over that the innings got a kick as Gul sprayed five wides before being pulled through midwicket.

Ponting has been scratchy during the tournament and was again unconvincing although he didn't have a huge amount of strike when he arrived. His first boundary came from a fortunate top edge after he was comprehensively beaten by a Wahab Riaz bouncer, but three balls later he produced a sweet cover drive.

Not for the first time, though, spin brought his downfall when he tried to cut Mohammad Hafeez, who produced a superb 10-over spell for 26, and got a thick edge that Kamran did well to take in the webbing of his right glove. However, it was originally given not out and the DRS was needed to overturn the decision in Pakistan's favour. Meanwhile, as the players waited for the TV umpire, there was an altercation between Haddin and the Pakistanis.

Haddin has been consistent during the tournament without reaching the three-figure score the top order needs and he couldn't convert here when he pushed at a delivery from Wahab to give Kamran his second catch. Misbah-ul-Haq missed an opportunity to run out Michael Clarke but made no mistake when his next chance came around when his throw to Kamran found White short after a laboured stay.

In Clarke and Michael Hussey, Australia had two of their in-form players together but even they found scoring tough as Shahid Afridi mixed up his bowling options. Razzaq was held back until the 35th over and made an immediate impression when Clarke missed an ugly heave against a well-disguised off-cutter which trimmed the off bail.

umar akmal

Hussey couldn't perform a rescue-act, either, when he chipped a simple catch to midwicket and the innings was coming off the rails as Razzaq produced a nippy delivery to find Mitchell Johnson's outside edge. Jason Krejza was defeated by Gul's lethal reverse swing and Steve Smith, having tried to see out the overs, chopped into his stumps against Afridi before Brett Lee carved to cover with 20 balls unused.

Andrew McGlashan is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo

Pakistan need 8 runs to win on 62 balls with 4 wickets

Australia v Pakistan, World Cup 2011, Group A, Colombo , pakistan win after 12 years

Brilliant Lee gives Australia hope

Brett Lee was single-handily trying to maintain Australia's unbeaten World Cup record with a supreme display of pace bowling to leave Pakistan 109 for 4 in pursuit of 177. The openers fell during Lee's fired-up first spell but he lacked support from his team-mates as Asad Shafiq and Younis Khan steadied the chase. However, Lee returned and claimed two wickets in two balls to give his team a vital lift.

Lee has been Australia's most consistent performer with the ball in the tournament and his opening spell here was exemplary. He could easily have removed Kamran Akmal in the first over when a top edge flew over the slips - Kamran also survived a run-out chance - and was making the ball move late. In his second over he squared up Mohammad Hafeez and made good ground to take the return catch.

A big shout for lbw against Kamran was reviewed but remained an on-field call with the ball just clipping leg and the batsman responded by taking two boundaries off Mitchell Johnson's first over. With attacking fields set by Ricky Ponting, further boundaries were notched up by Kamran and Shafiq, who had to battle some pain after twisting his ankle, but Lee kept his side in the match.

Ricky Ponting

After being carved over the covers he thundered a rapid delivery into Kamran's pads and this time he was given out by Marais Erasmus with the review unable to save him. However, Ponting knew he had to save some of Lee for later and his spell ended after five overs which released the pressure on Pakistan.

Johnson wasn't a huge threat, Shaun Tait proved expensive and Shane Watson was only steady before spin was introduced. Shafiq, who showed his composure against Zimbabwe in his first World Cup outing, played another mature hand knowing that the required rate was always in hand. Both he and Younis had a few nervous moments - with the pair edging through a vacant slip cordon - but took the requirement below a hundred.

Eventually, though, Younis flashed once too often outside off and gave a simple catch to Brad Haddin which continued his poor record against Australia. Next ball and the match was back in the balance when Misbah-ul-Haq, the other half of Pakistan's experienced middle order, hung his bat out at a Lee outswinger. Australia aren't used to losing World Cup matches and won't give this up easily.

Australia 176 (Haddin 42, Gul 3-30) v Pakistan

Pakistan produced an outstanding bowling and fielding display as Australia were hustled out for 176, their lowest completed World Cup total since 1992, on a tricky pitch in Colombo. Brad Haddin top-scored with 42 in a brittle performance from the current champions who have not been beaten in a World Cup match since May 1999. The wickets were shared around with Umar Gul taking three and Abdul Razzaq a crucial brace.

Whoever wins this match will finish top of Group A, which has a bearing on who they play in the quarter-finals and in which country. The first half couldn't have gone much better for Pakistan as all the bowlers played their part in keeping Australia under wraps while their fielding display reached rarely seen levels of excellence. Kamran Akmal had a good day behind the stumps with three catches, while the variety in the attack meant a host of wicket-taking options.

Australia have been saying how they wanted a test after easing through most of the group stage but the batting wasn't up to it on a difficult surface that offered spin and a touch of uneven bounce. Two batsmen desperate for a substantial innings, Ricky Ponting (19) and Cameron White (8), both struggled leaving the lower order exposed to spin and reverse swing.

Pakistan had an early scare when Gul pulled up at the start of his second over with a knee problem and needed attention from the physio. Whatever treatment was provided worked wonders because he produced a lovely nip-backer to beat Shane Watson's ambitious drive.

It was hard work for Australia to find momentum as Gul maintained a testing line and Abdur Rehman, the left-arm spinner, varied his pace nicely after being given the new ball. Haddin briefly broke free when he used his feet against Rehman to loft him straight for six, but it wasn't until the ninth over that the innings got a kick as Gul sprayed five wides before being pulled through midwicket.

Ponting has been scratchy during the tournament and was again unconvincing although he didn't have a huge amount of strike when he arrived. His first boundary came from a fortunate top edge after he was comprehensively beaten by a Wahab Riaz bouncer, but three balls later he produced a sweet cover drive.

Not for the first time, though, spin brought his downfall when he tried to cut Mohammad Hafeez, who produced a superb 10-over spell for 26, and got a thick edge that Kamran did well to take in the webbing of his right glove. However, it was originally given not out and the DRS was needed to overturn the decision in Pakistan's favour. Meanwhile, as the players waited for the TV umpire, there was an altercation between Haddin and the Pakistanis.

Haddin has been consistent during the tournament without reaching the three-figure score the top order needs and he couldn't convert here when he pushed at a delivery from Wahab to give Kamran his second catch. Misbah-ul-Haq missed an opportunity to run out Michael Clarke but made no mistake when his next chance came around when his throw to Kamran found White short after a laboured stay.

In Clarke and Michael Hussey, Australia had two of their in-form players together but even they found scoring tough as Shahid Afridi mixed up his bowling options. Razzaq was held back until the 35th over and made an immediate impression when Clarke missed an ugly heave against a well-disguised off-cutter which trimmed the off bail.

umar akmal

Hussey couldn't perform a rescue-act, either, when he chipped a simple catch to midwicket and the innings was coming off the rails as Razzaq produced a nippy delivery to find Mitchell Johnson's outside edge. Jason Krejza was defeated by Gul's lethal reverse swing and Steve Smith, having tried to see out the overs, chopped into his stumps against Afridi before Brett Lee carved to cover with 20 balls unused.

Andrew McGlashan is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo