The National's Sport cover for the Saturday, March 21 issue, featuring Australia's win over Pakistan to reach the 2015 Cricket World Cup semi-finals.
Australia's bowling attack knocked down the Pakistan line-up and then Steven Smith (65) and Shane Watson (64 not out) spirited a smooth response to beat Pakistan in just the 34th over.
“It was a close game, in the end our bowlers did a great job and we were strong in the field,” said Australia captain Michael Clarke.
While the result was disappointing, Pakistan could at least come away in awe of a special bowling spell by Wahab Riaz, writes Osman Samiuddin:
“A World Cup quarter-final between Pakistan and Australia had effectively turned into a personal hunt for blood; Wahab Riaz wanted Shane Watson’s, and he did everything but get it. For 10 deliveries this was not cricket as a team game, but cricket as one-on-one physical combat.
“He bowled 10 balls to Watson, though they felt like far more than mere deliveries.
“On the 11th ball Riaz bowled to Watson, however and most cruelly for Pakistanis, came the reminder that cricket is, alas, a team game.
“Bowlers need their fielders to catch. As Watson hooked blind, Rahat Ali settled himself under a regulation chance at deep square leg. He had taken a far trickier chance.
“At 83 for three, here was the moment of this little individual contest and the match. It went through his hands, as did the game out of Pakistan’s.”
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