Summary Paceman Wahab Riaz and spinner Imad Wasim took two wickets.
MOHALI (AFP) - Skipper Steven Smith led from the front with an unbeaten 61 to propel Australia to an imposing 193-4 against Pakistan in a must-win World Twenty20 group match on Friday.
The Australians were reeling at 57-3 when Smith joined hands with Glenn Maxwell (30) and ensured his side did not squander the advantage of batting first on a docile track in Mohali.
Smith hit seven boundaries in his 43-ball knock and completed his second half-century in T20 internationals in the process.
Shane Watson, who has announced he will quit international cricket at the end of the tournament, came to bat lower down the order and provided some late fireworks with an unbeaten 44 off 21 balls which included three sixes.
He and Smith put on 74 runs together in a game that Australia must win to stay in contention for the last semi-finals.
Paceman Wahab Riaz and spinner Imad Wasim took two wickets apiece in an otherwise lacklustre show by the Pakistani bowlers and fielders.
Australia opted for a new opening pair in Aaron Finch and Usman Khawaja for the crunch tie at the Punjab Cricket Association ground.
Khawaja, enjoying a purple patch with the bat, showed his aggressive intent early as he hit an off-colour Mohammad Sami (53-0) for two fours in the first over of the innings.
The left-hander then lofted Riaz over the fence for a six but he was out one ball later, losing his middle-stump to the fast bowler.
Riaz then dismissed David Warner (nine) with a ball that knocked off the stumps in a spectacular fashion.
Finch (15) was the next to go, failing to read a slow and low ball from Wasim.
Smith and Maxwell then steadied the innings, with a quick-fire 62-run partnership before Wasim made the breakthrough.
Pakistan need to win this game if they are to keep alive their slim hopes of advancing further in the tournament.
