Pakistan hopes crashed

DUBAI, Nov 11, (AP): Matthew Wade smacked three successive sixes off Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi in the penultimate over and lifted Australia into the final of the T20 World Cup with a five-wicket victory Thursday. Wade crashed Pakistan hopes in a stunning display of power-hitting against a premier Pakistan fast bowler as Australia cruised to 177- 5 with an over to spare. Pakistan had their chance but Hasan Ali dropped a regulation catch of the left-hander Wade at mid-wicket just before Afridi was hit for three sixes.

Wade made an unbeaten 41 off just 17 balls and Marcus Stoinis supported him superbly with 40 off 31 balls as both batsmen shared a match-winning 81-run partnership off just 40 balls. Earlier, half centuries by in-form Mohammad Rizwan (67) and Fakhar Zaman (55 not out) helped Pakistan reach 176-4 after Australia captain Aaron Finch won the toss and elected to field. Australia will take on New Zealand in the final on Sunday after the Black Caps defeated England in the first semifinal - also by five wickets - on Wednesday.