Shane Watson scored an unbeaten half-century as Australia beat Pakistan to secure a place in the ICC Cricket World Cup Semi-Final.

The 33-year-old survived a hostile spell from Wahab Riaz, during which he was crucially dropped on four, and guided the home side to a six-wicket victory at the Adelaide Oval chasing 214. Steven Smith also posted a half-century and Glenn Maxwell 44 off 29 balls.

Pakistan had earlier succumbed to a career-best World Cup bowling spell of 4-35 from Josh Hazlewood to be all out for 213; Haris Sohail top-scoring with 41.

Misbah-Ul-Haq won the toss and elected to bat and - although eight players reached double figures - Australia's pace quartet of Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Johnson and James Faulkner shared eight wickets. Maxwell began his impressive all-round performance by taking 2-43. 

A third wicket stand of 73, in 18.1 overs, between Sohail and Misbah was the most productive partnership for Pakistan; although the Captain enjoyed a stroke of fortune on nought when a Hazlewood elivery cannoned into leg-stump but failed to dislodge the bails.

The 40-year-old when on to score 34 off 59 balls in what is likely to be his farewell appearance in One-Day International cricket.

Misbah's opposite number Michael Clarke had talked about the quality of Pakistan's pace attack pre-match.

And the Australian Captain's his fears looked to be well-founded when his side were reduced to 59-3 after 10.4 overs of their reply.

Aaron Finch was trapped lbw by Sohail Khan for two and Riaz bowled what was described by pundits as the most hostile bowling spell of the World Cup. He started by removing David Warner with a short ball, caught by Rahat Ali at third-man.

Another bouncer saw the back Clarke as the home skipper could only fend a quick one to Shoaib Maqsood at short-leg and - with Riaz continuing to give Watson a stern examination with fast short-pitched bowling - Pakistan were well in the game.

Riaz looked to have won the battle when Watson was late on a hook shot and offered a straighforward chance to Rahat on the leg-side boundary. Had the catch been taken, Australia would have been 88-4 with 126 still required for victory. 

As it was, the ball went to ground and - with Riaz given a breather after six overs - Watson and Smith took their partnership to 79, putting Australia back in control before Smith was lbw to Eshan Adil for 65, made of 69 balls with seven fours.

A further 66 were required for victory and - with Maxwell cutting loose, hitting five fours and two sixes - Watson continued to play the anchor role, finishing on 64 not out off 66 balls, with seven fours and a six.

The returning Riaz endured one final moment of misfortune as Maxwell was dropped at third-man by Sohail. And Australia's the moment of victory came, with 16.1 overs to spare, when Watson, who finished with 64 off 66 balls with seven fours and a six, drove Sohail to the cover boundary.

The Aussies will face holders India, in the second Semi-Final, at Sydney on Thursday. 

View the full match scorecard here

 

Trent Bridge hosts the fourth Royal London One-Day International between England and New Zealand on Wednesday 17 June. Don't miss the chance to watch England seek redemption against the Kiwis and secure your seat now.