Smith stars as Australia edge thriller

Australia paceman Shaun Tait celebrates one of his three wickets as the hosts successfully defend a paltry total of 127

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New South Wales prodigy Steven Smith lived up to the hype with an international debut to remember as Australia snatched Twenty20 victory from the jaws of defeat against Pakistan at the MCG.

The leg-spinning all-rounder - who was one of two debutants along with Tasmania batsman Travis Birt - showed nerves of steel to swing a game that looked lost to Australia with two wickets in successive overs as the home side somehow defended a total of just 127.

After Australia failed to bat out their full 20 overs, Pakistan appeared on course for a comfortable win when they were cruising at 98 for four but ended up falling two runs short, finishing on 125 for nine.

It was thanks to the unlikely combination of Smith's leg-spin and the sheer pace of Shaun Tait that Pakistan capitulated yet again to ensure they ended a dismal tour without a solitary victory after having been clean swept in both the Test series (3-0) and the one-day series (5-0).

Tait, who sent down a 99.9mph thunderbolt in the opening over, reduced Pakistan to 10 for two before coming back to remove danger man Kamran Akmal, who scored a magnificent 64 off just 33 balls.

The South Australian's body may no longer be able to hold up in the longer forms of the game but he showed yet again that he is one of the best bowlers in the world in this format with 3-13 off his four overs.

But it was 20-year-old Smith who caused the Pakistan innings to disintegrate when he claimed Fawad Alam, caught at first slip for one, and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, stumped for one, in successive overs to finish with a more than creditable 2-34.

Dirk Nannes then finished off the tourists when he conceded just two runs and claimed the wicket of Umar Gul in the 19th over.

Clarke, who promoted himself to number three in his first official game in charge as full-time captain, answered his critics with 32 off 26 balls.

It was only the fourth time in 16 innings in Twenty20 internationals that Clarke has passed 30 and his wicket signalled a collapse of four for seven which wrecked Australia's innings.

The real damage came in the 12th over when acting Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik claimed two wickets in one over, first bowling Birt around his legs for one with his off-spin before keeper Brad Haddin was brilliantly stumped down the leg side by keeper Kamran off a wide in what appeared to be a set play by the visitors.

In the end Australia could not even bat out the 20 overs as ever-consistent David Hussey was left stranded on 40 not out.

But it still turned out to be enough against a Pakistan side that will be left wondering just how they failed to break their duck in their last match of a tour to forget.