Pakistan slumped to another hefty loss to the Australians and will need to improve massively to avoid being steam-rollered by the Aussies in Saturday's final.

Injury was added to insult for the Pakistanis when Shoaib Akhtar broke down after bowling just 10 balls.

Pakistan won the toss but little else went their way all day and they were bowled out for a paltry 117 in the 33rd over.

Newcomer Misbah-ul-Haq hit a tidy 39 but had virtually no support, Brett Lee claiming four for 32 in eight overs.

Batsman Younis Khan, and all-rounders Abdur Razzaq and Shahid Afridi all recorded ducks.

In reply, Matthew Hayden continued his purple patch of form to slam 59 not out off 48 balls, while the only worry was when Rocky Ponting retired hurt.

Pakistan: Saeed Anwar, Imran Nazir, Shahid Afridi, Younis Khan, Azhar Mahmood, Abdur Razzaq, Rashid Latif, Waqar Younis, Shoaib Akhtar, Shoaib Malik, Misbah-ul-Haq.

Australia: A C Gilchrist (Wkt), M L Hayden, R T Ponting (Capt), D R Martyn, J P Maher, M G Bevan, S R Watson, B Lee, J N Gillespie, S K Warne, G D McGrath.