Paceman Umar Gul recorded the second best figures in international Twenty20 cricket to help Pakistan registered  a seven-wicket win over Australia. The 25-year-old fast bowler took 4-8 in his four-over spell, combining with leg-spinner Shahid Afridi (3-14) to restrict Australia  to a modest 108 in 19.5 overs after Misbah-ul-Haq won the toss and fielded.

Gul provided Pakistan with a crucial breakthrough, dismissing the dangerous-looking Shane Watson (33) with his first delivery to put the brakes on Australia, who had reached 42 without loss.  Watson had struck three successive boundaries off paceman Sohail Tanvir in the fourth over.

Australia then suffered a severe jolt when four wickets fell for 12 runs in the space of 21 deliveries to leave them in trouble at 73 for 5. Afridi trapped James Hopes (6) and Andrew Symonds (0) leg-before off successive deliveries, before bowling David Hussey (4). Gul returned for his second spell to dismiss Nathan Hauritz (two), Brett Lee (0) and Marcus North (20) to improve on his own Pakistan record of 4-13 in a T-20 match against Sri Lanka last year.

Australians were bowled out for 108 runs in the last over. Acting Captain Brad Haddin, Shane Watson and Marcus North were only able to reach the double digit figures. Beside Gul and Afridi Shoaib Malik (2 for 14) also bowled well for Pakistan.

In Pakistan's reply, Kamran Akmal hit a rapid-fire unbeaten 59 while Haq scored 24. They shared an 85-run stand for the third wicket after Pakistan lost openers Ahmed Shehzad (4) and Salman Butt (16). Akmal's maiden T-20 half century included five boundaries and three towering sixes off 42 balls and enabled Pakistan to reach their target with 3.4 overs to spare.

Australia brought in paceman Brett Lee to assess his fitness before the World T-20, to be held in England next month. The 33-year-old fast bowler's return to international cricket was delayed when medical staff decided his ankle was not yet ready after he was initially named in the squad for the Pakistan series.

Australia, who won the preceding five-match One-day series 3-2, is led by Brad Haddin after Michael Clarke returned back home to rest before the World T-20 and the Ashes.

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3.25 Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."

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