Ahead of Australia’s clash with Pakistan on Wednesday, take a look back on some memorable World Cup matches between the two countries
Five Australia v Pakistan World Cup classics
Lahore, 1987
Craig McDermott powered Australia to within a win of their maiden World Cup crown when he shocked Pakistan with 5-44 in their semi-final. Rank outsiders on foreign conditions and with Pakistan topping their group, Australia got to 8-267 on the back of 65 from David Boon and a late flurry from Steve Waugh. McDermott then worked his magic, as the asking rate got too high for Pakistan before they crumbled to be all out for 249 in the penultimate over.
Image Id: 4B57E8153B18432FB2000E66045270BA Image Caption: Steve Waugh played a crucial innings in Lahore // GettyLeeds, 1999
Australia's World Cup campaign was left in tatters after Saqlain Mushtaq and Wasim Akram ran through them at Headingley. Chasing 276 for victory in a low-scoring tournament, Australia fell behind the pace early and lost all hope when Michael Bevan was out in the 42nd over. The 18-run loss left Steve Waugh's men needing to go undefeated through their last seven games to lift the trophy. Until Sunday's loss to India, this match was the last time Australia were beaten chasing in a World Cup match.
Image Id: 7858E1C3FB7C4736B3FF72CDD9AB0D33 Image Caption: Shoaib Akhtar celebrates a wicket at Headlingley // GettyLord’s, 1999
Four weeks after all but being knocked out of the tournament in Headingley, Australia's World Cup resurgence was finalised at Lord’s with an eight-wicket flogging of Pakistan in the final. In something of an anti-climax, Shane Warne took four wickets and Glenn McGrath had 2-13 off nine overs to keep Pakistan to 132 before Australia chased it down in the 21st over.
Image Id: C9CB5DA2F8BC4204A86885F32CF8CE67 Image Caption: Tom Moody celebrates a catch at Lord's // GettyJohannesburg, 2003
From a position of real danger against Pakistan’s potent pace attack, Australia unearthed a new hero and got their title defence off to a winning start at The Wanderers. In deep trouble at 4-86 and then 5-146, it was left to Andrew Symonds to lift Australia out of trouble. A controversial selection in the side, Symonds steadied and then bludgeoned his way to his maiden international century, his unbeaten 143 lifting the Aussies to 8-310, a total they defended with ease.
Image Id: 62A639B136354E009713B91D430C2A30 Image Caption: Joburg 2003 was a milestone game for Andrew Symonds // GettyAdelaide, 2015
Australia's six-wicket win does not give justice to the fury of Wahab Riaz's spell to Shane Watson in this classic encounter. The hosts looked assured of a spot in the World Cup semi-finals after Josh Hazlewood's 4-35 helped roll Pakistan for 213. But at 3-59 and with Wahab breathing fire at the Adelaide Oval, Australia were in trouble. After ducking and evading for overs, Watson should have been caught when he hooked the quick down the throat of fine leg. The catch was spilled by Rahat Ali, and Australia later cruised to victory with Watson 64no.
Image Id: 7B5911DF525647D0A6B7304B7CDBF78D Image Caption: Watson ducks under a short ball in Adelaide // Getty2019 World Cup
Australia's squad: Aaron Finch (c), Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey (wk), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa
June 1: Australia beat Afghanistan by seven wickets
June 6: Australia beat West Indies by 15 runs
June 9: Australia lost to India by 36 runs
June 12: Australia v Pakistan, Taunton
June 15: Sri Lanka v Australia, The Oval
June 20: Australia v Bangladesh, Trent Bridge
June 25: England v Australia, Lord's
June 29: New Zealand v Australia, Lord's (D/N)
July 6: Australia v South Africa, Old Trafford (D/N)
July 9: Semi-Final 1, Old Trafford
July 11: Semi-Final 2, Edgbaston
July 14: Final, Lord's
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