Advantage Australia as Pakistan batsmen struggle

Australia restricted Pakistan to 205-6 off 50 overs after winning the toss in a crucial Champions Trophy game at SuperSport Park Wednesday.

Victory will lift defending champions Australia to the top of Group A and secure a semi-final against England at the same venue Friday in pursuit of the two-million-dollar first prize.

Pakistan are already assured of a place in the knockout phase and if they lose this match will face surprise Group B winners New Zealand at the Wanderers Saturday.

Boasting the only 100 percent record in the competition, Pakistan never got going against an impressive Australian attack led by Mitchell Johnson and Shane Watson.

They took two wickets each with Brett Lee and James Hopes snatching the others as Pakistan struggled to recapture the form that yielded 302 runs against fierce rivals India at the same venue last Saturday.

Mohammed Yousuf (45), opener Kamran Akmal (44) and Misbah-ul-Haq (41) were the only batsmen to make any impact with skipper Younus Khan out after making just 18 off 49 deliveries.

India face the West Indies at the Wanderers later Wednesday in the final round-robin match, but an Australian victory would render the outcome meaningless.