Shane Watson is one of Australia's most consistent players for quite sometime now.
On Sunday he again proved his worth, blasting a 49-ball 81, which helped Australia beat Pakistan by 34 runs.
Australia began their Twenty20 World Cup campaign well as their openers gave them a a fiery start. David Warner and Watson put on a quickfire 51 inside six overs, which laid the foundation for the onslaught.
After Warner's departure, Watson joined hands with David Hussey and the duo broke the back of the Pakistan attack with their explosive batting.
Mohammad Hafeez was at the receiving end as Watson hit him for two huge sixes in the 10th over. The opener smashed seven fours and four sixes.
Skipper Shahit Afridi was put to the sword by the all-rounder, wh hit him for a six and boundary. Such was Watson's showing that the effect rubbed on to Hussey as well and he smashed four sixes in the 16the over, which earned the Aussies 28 runs.
Saeed Ajmal finally dismissed Watson, having him caught him plumb in front of the wicket, as Australia finished with 191.
In reply, Pakistan never really got the momentum and lost wickets at regular intervals. They lost in-form Kamram Akmal in the first over itself and since then they were always playing catch-up cricket.
Though Misbah-ul Haq and Afridi did try their best to keep the defending champions in the hunt, it was a case of too little too late.
Pakistan were eventually bundled out off the last ball of their innings, finding themselves 34 runs short.
