Michael Hussey helps Australia reach final

Michael Hussey played the innings of his life as he helped Australia reach the final of the 2010 World Twenty20. Hussey scored an unbeaten 60*(24) to leave the Pakistan team shell shocked as he hit 3 sixes and a four off consecutive deliveries in the final over.

Winning the toss, Australia chose to field first on a slow pitch. Australia got off to a good start giving away only 3 runs from the first two overs. Kamran Akmal then accelerated the innings as he scored a quick 50 from just 34 balls. Australians failed to pick up wickets frequently, and this allowed Pakistan's middle order to score runs aggressively. Kamran Akmal's younger brother Umar Akmal scored an unbeaten 56*(35) at the end and Pakistan posted a massive 191/6 in their twenty overs.

Chasing 192 on a slow pitch was never easy. Australia lost three wickets in the powerplay and found themselves in deep trouble. Wickets fell frequently and they are at one stage 105/5 in the 13th over. Cameron White and Michael Hussey started the repair and by the time Cameron White fell, they are left with 53 runs to score off just 21 deliveries with Michael Hussey the last recognized batsman in the team. Pakistan are cruising at this stage and only a miracle could stop them from playing England in the final. But Hussey has other thoughts. He took the match into the final over requiring 18 runs to win. And Afridi gave the responsibility of finishing off the match to Saeed Ajmal who picked up 1 wicket for 23 runs off three overs. Mitchell Johnson got a single off the first delivery to give strike to Hussey. Hussey then hit a couple of sixes off consecutive deliveries and then a four off the next to level the scores. Hussey finished off the innings in style as he hit the fifth delivery for another six.

Australia will now travel to Barbados to play England in the final.

Scorecard

2nd Semi-Final - Australia vs Pakistan
Beausejour Stadium, St Lucia
May 14, 2010

Result: Australia won by 3 wickets
Toss: Australia won the toss and chose to field first.
Player of the match: Michael Hussey

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