The last over was a huge disappointment as Pakistan lost three wickets for the addition of just one run. To Jason Gillespie’s great relief, as he had gone for 35 in his two previous overs, a totally out of sorts Wasim Akram failed to put bat to ball on the first three deliveries with a restless Razzaq stranded on the other end ran himself out trying to steal a bye. Akram and Waqar got out tamely, and as Pakistan’s most spirited challenge to the Aussie attack tapered off to a timid close with Gillespie walking away with another 5fer, but this time at a hefty price of 70 runs.

As Shoaib Malik (37, off 94 balls, 3 fours, 1 six) ran himself out right when he was finally opening up, having just driven Shane Warne for a six in the covers, Misbah and Razzaq got together in the middle. In fine fettle in this tournament, Misbah had already played himself in. The two between them picked up the scoring rate a trifle by rotating the strike and taking an occasional boundary here or there.

At the start of 41st over, Pakistan had made 140 for five wickets, and Misbah and Razzaq were all poised for an assault. Misbah hit Lee for four at the point fence and then reverse-swept Warne in the same area to raise his 50 (off 73 balls, 6 fours), but was bowled off an inside edge trying to guide Lee to the third man fence.

With overs running out, Razzaq got into the act of giving momentum to the scoring. Gillespie came back for his final spell and was ferociously hit for two fours to the extra cover fence. He tore into him, as his next over yielded 24 runs, Razzaq hit a six and a four at mid-wicket and finishing the over with another boundary at covers to take Pakistan soaring to 210.

McGrath, who had been all control in the morning, was dealt with equally severely as Razzaq clouted him for two sixes straight over the roof.

But for the last over’s disappointment, Pakistan may have gotten few more. But since this has topped off their previous-best by some 100 runs, maybe it would inspire the bowlers to do their bit.

With the upper and middle order failing yet again it was left to these two and the all-rounders packed in the lower order to put together a total to challenge the Aussies. On a wicket which is likely to get slower and afford some turn to Malik and Shahid Afridi, a total of 230-plus could make things tight for Australia, provided Pakistan bowls with some discipline.

Coming back after a lay-off, Inzamam-ul-Haq was distinctly unlucky as Russell Tiffin adjudged him leg before off an inside edge to give Jason Gillespie a second wicket in the 10th over. Only three deliveries earlier, Saeed Anwar, who looked in good nick and had 6 fours in scoring 28 runs off 33 deliveries, had one inside edge too many. Playing away from his body, the edge flew straight into Adam Gilchrist's gloves. The bearded opener had squandered yet another good start.

That destroyed a rather bright beginning, 15 runs in the first two overs, after Waqar Younis won the toss and elected to bat first. Afridi opening the innings burrowed a short one from Glenn McGrath in the first over beyond square-leg fence for a six, and Anwar took two fours off Gillespie in the next. But McGrath struck back, a brilliant catch as Warne jumped high at second slip to remove Afridi.

After Afridi's early dismissal and Gillespie's double strike, it was mostly a struggle. Especially because Malik, promoted to one-down, was intent only on occupation of crease and not nudging for singles and twos. He took a long time, 23 deliveries to be precise, to get his first run, as there were as many as seven maidens in the first 18 overs.

The Aussie bowling was excellent, giving nothing away, and backed well by good fielding. Still this overly defensive approach didn't help Pakistan's cause.

Younis Khan was surely more enterprising in comparison, and he took a boundary off Lee and Watson. But then Lee took a nice return catch on a drive to remove him. Misbah started off brightly, taking a couple of fours off Lee, as Malik too was opening up and hit Gillespie for a four at square-leg when the latter was brought back for one over.

As Watson bowled the 30th over, Misbah again guided him to third man fence to take Pakistan to only a boundary away from three figures.

Australia have come through the pool matches dominant with hardly a scratch. They had demolished Pakistan twice and had to exert a bit in the last match against Kenya when they fielded a weaker side. They are the hot favourites today.

Pakistan on the other hand have been suffering and their batting has let them down in each of the earlier pool games. Yousuf Youhana is being missed after being sent home after a quarrel with the team management and key batsman Inzamam-ul-Haq has a recurrent knee problem and sat out three games, although should be playing today.

The pitch looks firm, dry and a bit crusty with plenty of runs for the strokemakers but there should be some swing and seam in the first session in these overcast conditions.

As we head for the start Pakistan will be wanting to make amends for their erratic performance so far but Australia are in form and will want to avenge the recent defeat in the Super Challenge II Series.

Waqar Younis won the toss and immediately decided to bat. Shoaib Akhtar is still out with a strain and has been replaced by Mohammad Sami. Inzamam will also play. Afridi and Saeed Anwar will open the Pakistan innings.

The Aussies have brought back McGrath and Gillespie and skipper Ponting is back too after a rest in the last game against Kenya.

The Australian team:
+AC Gilchrist, ML Hayden, JP Maher, MG Bevan, SR Watson, DR Martyn, *RT Ponting, B Lee, JN Gillespie, SK Warne, GD McGrath.

The Pakistan team:
Saeed Anwar, Shahid Afridi, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Abdur Razzaq, Azhar Mahmood, +Rashid Latif, *Waqar Younis, Wasim Akram, Mohammad Sami.