Umar Akmal steers Pakistan to 191-5 against Australia

DHAKA: Brilliant batting display by young Umar Akmal helped Pakistan set a big target of 192 for Australia in another crucial match of The Super Ten Series Group-2 in the fifth World Twenty20 here at the Shere Bangla National Stadium Mirpur on Sunday.

Australia captain George Bailey won the toss and invited Pakistan to bat first but his bowlers failed to put any pressure on them as Pakistan compiled a big total of 191 runs for five wickets in the twenty overs.

Umar Akmal smashed 94 off 54 balls while elder brother Kamran Akmal contributed a run-a-ball 31 and Shahid Afridi returned unbeaten on 20 off 11 balls as Pakistan bounced back after a morale-sapping loss to India on Friday.

The Akmal brothers put on 96 for the third wicket after Pakistan were reduced to 25-2 by the fifth over, losing the key wickets of Ahmed Shehzad and skipper Mohammad Hafeez.

Umar Akmal hit four sixes and nine boundaries before he fell in the final over, caught on the fence attempting another big hit off Mitchell Starc.