At Mohali, March 25, 2016. Australia won by 21 runs. Toss: Australia.
Australia's batting finally clicked - and Pakistan's was found wanting once again. The result left the Australians facing a virtual quarter-final against India two days later at the same venue, and knocked the Pakistanis out. For coach Waqar Younis and captain Shahid Afridi, it was a subdued end to their tenures. A chaotic first six overs had yielded 52 for two: Mohammad Amir again began beautifully, Mohammad Sami was pummelled, and Wahab Riaz ripped through Khawaja and Warner. Smith, whose five previous Twenty20 innings against Pakistan had totalled just 28, did as he liked thereafter: running fours, pin-balling around the crease, changing the line to his liking. At his most outrageous, he took guard two feet outside off stump, watched Wahab follow him, then stepped further across to flick a four through square leg. Maxwell crashed a few, then came one last international display of Watson's best with the bat. He nailed three sixes from the fast bowlers - over long-on, extra cover and midwicket - to finish with an unbeaten 44 from 21 deliveries. Sami eventually leaked 53, second among Pakistan bowlers to his own 54, also against Australia, at the 2010 tournament in the West Indies. Chasing 194, Pakistan had only one feasible approach, but Hazlewood's three-over opening burst of one for 15 derailed them. Sharjeel Khan belted 30 but was out too soon, then Zampa slowed down Umar Akmal and Afridi, before picking up both. Shoaib Malik's lively 40 was redundant, while Faulkner helped himself to Australia's first Twenty20 fivefor.
Man of the Match: J. P. Faulkner.