Pakistan crash out, deny skipper Shahid Afridi final hurrah!

Pakistan vs Australia: Pakistan crashed out of the tournament after losing to Australia by 21 runs in the must-win ICC World Twenty20 contest in Mohali on Friday. Set a stiff 194-run target, Pakistan showed promise but just couldn't deliver the goods to seal a much needed win. The Shahid Afridi-led unit blew hot and cold with both bat and ball, and like the New Zealand game, just couldn't seal a chase after a positive start at the top of the order. The win keeps Australia alive and makes their next fixture against India a virtual quarter-final. Also, this could well be the last time Shahid Afridi stepped out in Pakistan colours. Official announcement/decision, as the skipper informed at end of day's play, would take another four days. (Source: AP)

Pakistan vs Australia: Like the New Zealand game, Pakistan had plenty of support on their side. At a venue where IPL franchise Kings XI Punjab has missed spectators, the neighbours played in front of plenty, even during the day game on a hot afternoon. Posters of "lala" , "we love you Afridi" were in plenty and they certainly didn't want to miss a glimpse of their hero in what could well be his last outing in the Greens. Afridi thanked the supporters who kept cheering "Lala Lala" during his post-match interaction with Harsha Bhogle and Wasim Akram. (Source: AP)

Pakistan vs Australia: After not getting the coin toss in their favour, Pakistan were asked to field by Australia skipper Steve Smith. The wicket wore a similar look to the one used for the New Zealand game and plenty of runs seemed on offer. Both sides made some crucial changes for this contest. Australia included Aaron Finch while a fit-again Wahab Riaz returned to the XI, replacing Mohammad Irfan. Riaz was on fire in his first spell. It was like a recap of his spell against Australia during the 2015 World Cup quarter-final. The seamer struck early and removed Usman Khawaja and David Warner in quick succession to put Australia on the mat early in their innings. (Source: AP)

Pakistan vs Australia: While Khawaja was undone by a fullish delivery, David Warner was on the receiving end of a beauty. A back-of-the-length delivery, fired at 148.8 kmph, crashed into Warner's stumps and the left-hander had no clue about that one. He started off in convincing fashion and looked good before Riaz special cut short his stay in the middle. Inside the powerplay, Australia were reduced to 42/2. (Source: AP)

Pakistan vs Australia: As soon as the powerplay got over and there were two right-handers in the middle, Afridi went to his spinners. He introduced himself in the sixth over and tossed the ball to left-arm spinner Imad Wasim from the other end. Wasim, bowling to Finch, bowled a stock ball - leaving the right-hander. The second one, however, took the batsman by a surprise as he, expecting it to leave him, was left clueless when it came back sharply after hitting the good-length spot. Finch was castled and Australia were in a spot of bother at 57/3 in the eighth over of the innings. (Source: AP)

Pakistan vs Australia: After early wickets, Steve Smith dropped anchor. The skipper held the innings together with Glenn Maxwell and the duo kept the scoreboard ticking at a brisk pace. Maxwell started in his typical fashion, reverse-sweeping Afridi, and never looked back. The right-hander picked the odd boundary and ran well between the wickets with skipper Smith. Together they added 62 runs in 6.2 overs before he hit a Wasim delivery to Shehzad in the deep. Maxwell's wicket brought Watson to the middle, and the all-rounder, playing his second-last innings for Australia, was in a destructive mood. He tore the opposition attack apart and fired a 21-ball 44 to give the total a much-needed push towards the end. (Source: PTI)

Pakistan vs Australia: Steve Smith was busy from the other end too and he scored a T20I fifty, off only 35 balls in the process. The skipper stitched two crucial, and very brisk, partnerships with first Maxwell and then Watson to keep the Australian innings on track, on a track ideal for a T20 slog. In the end, Australia finished with 193/4 and both Watson and Smith remained unbeaten on 61 and 44 respectively (Source: PTI)

Pakistan vs Australia: Chasing the stiff total, Pakistan rode on another Sharjeel cameo to trigger some panic in the opposition dugout. Like the New Zealand game, the left-hander was severe on anything short, and directed at his body, and impressed with his back-foot play towards the off-side too. A needless shot from Shehzad gave Australia the early success but Sharjeel continued with his dominating style of play. In no time, he raced to 30 but played a Faulkner delivery back on to his stumps in the 6th over of the innings. Pakistan were reduced to 40/2. (Source: PTI)

Pakistan vs Australia: Umar Akmal seemed man on a mission today as he smashed Shane Watson for 17 runs in an over, but as it has been a case with him, the mission lasted only 20 balls. More than what he managed in the last game, but certainly less than what Pakistan would have expected from their no.4 in a stiff 194-run chase. Akmal's wicket brought Afridi to the middle who walked out to an aggressive cheer. The crowd-favourite pleased the spectators with a couple of sixes before getting out in typical Afridi fashion - frustrating. Afridi, after hitting Zampa for a six, charged at the leggie again but failed to put bat to ball. (Source: AP)

Pakistan vs Australia: While it hasn't been a smooth sail for the mighty Aussies in the tournament, Adam Zampa has been the find of the tour for the Steve Smith-led unit. The leggie operates in a very intelligent manner and the little changes he makes, reacting to the situations, are a treat. Zampa returned with impressive figures of 2/32 and scalped two important wickets of Shahid Afridi and Umar Akmal in the process. (Source: AP)

Pakistan vs Australia: James Faulkner was not too far behind and certainly way ahead of the pack as the all-rounder scalped five wickets, giving away 27 runs, during his four-over spell. Four of his wickets came in two bursts of 2/2 but he failed to both the opportunities into a hat-trick. Australia kept Pakistan 21 short of the target, and now take on India in a virtual quarter-final on Sunday. (Source: AP)