Colombo: Australia's 34-match unbeaten run in the World Cup came to an end Saturday night with a four-wicket defeat against Pakistan in their last Group A match at the R Premedasa Stadium.

With three wins Pakistan secured top spot in Group A.

Ricky Ponting's decision to bat first back-fired as his batsmen looked in all sorts of discomfort against the pace of Umar Gul (3-30) and Abdul Razzaq (2-8) and were bowled out for 176 runs.

Brett Lee took 4-28 in reply to test Pakistan's nerve but Umar Akmal saw them home with an unbeaten 48. The defeat was Australia's first at a World Cup since 1999.

Australia’s last defeat in the World Cup also came against Pakistan at Headingley and it was fitting that Abdul Razzaq, the only man in their team to play in both games, hit the winning boundary here.

Shahid Afridi's men were fully focused on this occasion, especially so after an incident during the Australian innings when several players were involved in a heated exchange with Australia's Brad Haddin.

While chasing, Mohammad Hafeez was dismissed for five and veteran paceman Brett Lee then trapped Kamran Akmal (23) but a stand of 53 between Younus Khan and Asad Shafiq put Pakistan on course.

Lee removed Younus (23) and Misbah in successive balls in his second spell - both with fine edges through to the keeper.

Shafique (46) and Umar Akmal steadied the ship again before the former nicked Johnson behind and a brainless heave from Shahid Afridi (2) again made things uneasy for Pakistan at 142-6.

But Umar (44 not out) and Razzaq (20 not out) held their nerve to secure a morale-boosting victory with nine overs to spare.

"I thought our batting effort was very ordinary," said Ponting. "We gave ourselves a sniff with the ball but we couldn't get there. It was a a lot better wicket than 177, that's for sure.

"Wicket conditions were fine and it's one where we should have got a lot more runs. We've been here before in the tournament as well so there's no excuse from our part," he added