Australia stumble to 59-3 when Michael Clarke is caught at short leg
But Steve Smith (65) and Shane Watson calm the nerves as hosts progress
Australia will face India in the last four
Australia reached the semi-final’s of the World Cup as they defeated Pakistan by six wickets on Friday.
Under the lights at the Adelaide Oval a drop by Rahat Ali proved to be the turning point as Australia chased down the below-par 213 set by Pakistan.
The recalled Josh Hazlewood took 4-35 to restrict the 1992 World Cup winners to such a low total before Shane Watson hit an unbeaten 64 to give the hosts victory in a fiercely contested tie.
Aggressive, brave, attacking captaincy choices have been the building blocks for the best sides in the World Cup so far.
Brendon McCullum, AB de Villiers and today Michael Clarke are proving that despite the wickets by-and-large being a paradise for batsmen, their ingenuity can and does lead to success.
Yet Misbah brings his own unique style of captaincy to the table with a calm demeanour, even in the face of collapse and struggle, that breeds belief within his side and almost earned them a shock win.
Pakistan came into the match in a confident mood, on the back of four successive victories, following heavy defeats in the first two matches of the World Cup group stage.
Batting first, after winning the toss, seemed the sub-continental side’s best chance of defeating Australia.
Sarfraz Ahmed, Pakistan’s centurion in their previous match against Ireland, couldn’t replicate his heroics as he edged Mitchell Starc to a diving Watson at slip for 10.
And Hazlewood, brought back at the expense of Pat Cummins, justified his selection as he sent down a wide ball that moved away from Ahmed Shehzad and was edged to Clarke at second slip.
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