'I still can't believe it' - Waqar Younis
Pakistan's coach Waqar Younis said he "couldn't believe" his team had lost to Australia in the final over of their World Twenty20 semi-final
Cricinfo staff
14-May-2010
Cameron White's innings set the tone for the result, according to Waqar Younis • AFP
Pakistan's coach Waqar Younis was still in a state of shock soon after his team's loss to Australia in the final over of their World Twenty20 semi-final. The Australians began the 20th over needing another 18 runs off Saeed Ajmal, but after three sixes and a four from Michael Hussey, the match finished with a ball to spare.
It was a remarkable result given the nature of the chase; Australia were set 192 and slumped to 105 for 5 in the 13th over. That left Cameron White (43 off 31 balls) and Hussey in charge of the rescue, and Hussey's unbeaten 60 from 24 deliveries was the key.
"All you can do is just smile about it," Waqar said. "I thought we did our best. What else can you do? I don't think we went wrong anywhere. We did a good job, but you've just got to give credit to the Australians for the way they batted. They kept the momentum with them all the way, especially Cameron White's innings.
"I thought that set the tone, and then Hussey did the real damage. I still can't believe it. It was an unbelievable innings; you just don't see many like that around. I can't really blame anyone. I thought we bowled pretty well and batted outstandingly. It's just that the Australians were too good for us today."
The result eliminated Pakistan, the defending champions, from the tournament and set up an Australia-England final in Barbados on Sunday. Waqar said the depth of Australia's batting - Hussey and Steven Smith have been coming in at No. 7 and 8 - made them a very fine side, although he felt there was room for improvement in their bowling.
"We've seen a great game here, and I'm looking forward to another thriller in the final," he said. "England are on top of their form. It's just a matter of holding your nerves in the final. But the way Australia played today, they are very dangerous.
"When you have such momentum with you it's always handy. They played like champions. They haven't won the Twenty20 yet, but this is their opportunity - and I think they're going to come really hard at the English team."