Cricket: Pakistan beat Australia with superb run chase

PERTH - Pakistan overcame a horrible fielding effort and another Michael Clarke special to defeat Australia by three wickets in the one-day cricket match at the WACA Ground last night.

The tourists were guilty of a spate of overthrows, while a seemingly never-ending run of mis-fields appeared likely to subject Pakistan to a third straight loss to Australia in the triangular series.

The world champions reached 265 all out from their 50 overs but Yousuf Youhana (72), man of the match Abdul Razzaq (63 not out) and another late cameo from Shahid Afridi (30 off 13 balls) steered Pakistan to 268-7 with 16 balls to spare.

Pakistan produced a horrible, mistake-riddled effort in the field, with Adam Gilchrist (twice), Damien Martyn and Clarke all dropped by the tourists.

But only Clarke took full advantage of his life, continuing his brilliant summer with an unbeaten 75 from as many balls.

The poor form of opener Matthew Hayden continued, dismissed for just six from 16 balls in a worrying sign ahead of Friday's first final.

The Queenslander is now averaging just 10.5 from his four knocks in the one-day competition this summer.

Gilchrist was given two gilt-edged chances by the Pakistan field, dropped on 23 at slip by Yasir Hameed and again on 37 by Shoaib Malik in the deep.

Each time he was dropped the Aussie vice-captain smashed the following ball to the boundary.

But Gilchrist was bowled a short time later by Razzaq for 47 from 46 balls.

Errors then started streaming into the Pakistan fielding effort.

The situation became comical when Yasir Hameed lobbed a ball gently towards the stumps from four metres away, only to watch it trickle away for yet another overthrow.

Wickets soon fell at a consistent rate, however, with Glenn McGrath clean-bowled for a duck with the final delivery of the Australian innings.

Razzaq (4-53) and Afridi (2-45) were the pick of the Pakistan bowlers, while the former then used a cool-head with the blade to guide the tourists home.

The late turn-around is sure to give the tourists plenty of confidence into Tuesday's clash with the West Indies in Perth.

The winner of that match will meet Australia in the three-match final starting in Melbourne on Friday.

There were plenty of highlights in the field for the Australians, with Andrew Symonds producing a nomination for catch of the summer.

The 29-year-old dove at full-stretch to his right for a sensational two-handed effort to dismiss Yasir Hameed.

Martyn then got in on the act, this time diving to his left to remove Younis Khan for just six as the tourists slumped to 3-49.

Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq and Yousuf combined for a crucial 74-run stand, before Afridi smashed three fours and two massive sixes to give the tourists a sniff of victory.

Razzaq and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan (20 not out) did the rest in a major boost for the tourists.

The victory was Pakistan's first over Australia this summer, including the Test series and the one-day tournament, and Razzaq said it was just the boost his side needed.

"Firstly I think after a long time we've beaten Australia, so we're very excited,'' he said.

"We really needed that and so now we're ready to hopefully make the final.''

Australia's batting performance was the main area that concerned Ponting.

McGrath (2-27) and Symonds (2-65) led a solid bowling effort from the home side, but the batting effort was a let-down for the Australian captain.

"The batting was disappointing," Ponting said. "Most of the batsmen got starts, but no-one with the exception of Clarkey really put their hand up and made sure we got through.

"Whenever we got a bit of a partnership going, somebody got out and it really took the momentum away.''

- AAP