Super Challenge Series, Australia, June Pakistan had lost five times in a row to Australia in Australia and it duly became six when they were drubbed in the first match. Their batsmen looked out of depth, the bowling was ragged and the shoulders drooped. It took a little magic from the old wrecker to revive them: Wasim Akram prised out three quick wickets and Australia never quite recovered from his opening burst. Pakistan then survived a middle-order wobble thanks to the steadying hand of Younis Khan to draw level. Akram was at it again at Brisbane, scoring a scorching 49 of 32 balls to help Pakistan to 256, after which he came back to bowl a searching opening spell that accounted for Matthew Hayden. From here on the show belonged to Shoaib Akhtar who blasted out Ricky Ponting, Darren Lehman, Damien Martyn and Michael Bevan in the space of 23 balls. The victory margin - 89 runs - was Pakistan's highest against Australia, who were left pondering whether off-season cricket did them any good after all. Sambit Bal

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