Champions Trophy Images: Australia vs Pakistan

Pakistan suffered an early setback when they lost opener Shahid Afridi in just the eighth over of the match.

Afridi (15 in 17 deliveries) was going at nearly-run-a-ball, but in-form Australia pacer Mitchell Johnson put the breaks on the Pakistani's run-scoring.

Captain Younis Khan came in at No 3 and threatened to carry on from where Afridi left. He bludgeoned Johnson and Shane Watson for a boundary each before getting out for 18 to James Hopes.

After a match-winning knock against India, Shoaib Malik (27) looked good to make another century. However, he only flattered to decieve.

He looked smooth and played to the merit of the bowling during his small stint at the crease. Apart from the singles and twos, he knocked around a boundary and a six.

But his contribution was cut short after a soft dismissal off the bowling of Mitchell Johnson.

With the loss of four wickets, Pakistan had their backs against the wall and reaching the 200-mark looked impossible.

But Mohammad Yousuf (45) and Misbah-ul-Haq (41) stuck it out. They rotated the strike at will and punished the bad balls.

They stitched a 50-run partnership and helped Pakistan eventually reach 205-6.

Australian openers Shane Watson and Tim Paine started the innings in blazing fashion.

Both opened their accounts with a four and a six respectively. They were lethal, especially towards Mohammad Asif.

Pakistani paceman Umar Gul bowled well within himself and restricted the run-flow at the other end.

However, the openers fell within no time and this put the pressure on the susceptible Australian middle-order.

Ponting and Micheal Hussey put on a huge partnership in the middle overs to try and steer Australia ashore.

The Aussies rode on Hussey's defiant 64, but not before some hiccups which provided a nail-biting end to the contest.

Hussey, who struck six fours and a six during the 87-ball innings, fell prey to Navel-ul-Hasan in the 41st over, leaving Australia at 174 for five.

The contest took an interesting turn when Mohammed Asif, playing his first match after the end of year-long ban, struck twice in the 42nd over.

After dismissing Hopes (1), Asif also scalped Cameron White (5) after just three balls in the same over.

Suddenly the floodgates opened and the match was nearly within Pakistan's reach.

However, Lee and Hauritz held their nerve to complete the task for Australia.