Australia v Pakistan

At Colonial Stadium, Melbourne, June 15 (day/night). Pakistan won by two wickets. Toss: Australia.

This match was as exciting as the first was workmanlike. Wasim Akram kick-started the drama: his very first ball was a perfect out-swinger that tickled Gilchrist's edge, and his third ballooned back to him off Ponting's bat and pad. A Bevan-inspired revival was then snuffed out as Shahid Afridi picked off his partners: Martyn caught at point for 56, and Watson and Warne trapped on the crease by fast, fizzing leg-breaks. In fact, Martyn could have gone when just seven, after Waqar Younis claimed a low catch, but he was controversially reprieved by TV replays. Australia fought back hard in the field. Saeed Anwar's return to international cricket lasted two balls before he was run out from mid-off after backing-up too far and, when Lee blasted out two more in one over, Pakistan were on the ropes at 21 for three. Younis Khan rescued them with dainty footwork and solid driving, and they edged home in the penultimate over. Had Ponting given the ball to McGrath before the expensive Lee late in the innings, they might not have made it.

Man of the Match: Younis Khan.