Pakistan finally ended Australia's unbeaten run in the VB series with a three-wicket win. Abdul Razzaq put in a brilliant all-round display to help Pakistan register their fourth consecutive one-day win at Perth against the World Champions. Razzaq took four crucial wickets in Australia's innings and then scored a quickfire, unbeaten 63 when the team was in trouble.

Earlier, Australian skipper Ricky Ponting won the toss and decided to have a bat on the bouncy Perth track. But the Aussies were off to a poor start with Rana sending back the terribly out-of-touch Matthew Hayden, who was brilliantly caught by Shahid Afridi as the Australian opener skied a shorter one from Rana. With yet another low score, Hayden's spot in the team is in severe danger for the best-of-three finals. Michael Clarke's superb showing as an opener certainly won't help matters for him.

Adam Gilchrist, back from an injury, was his usual attacking self. 'Gilly' was severe on both the opening bowlers and was also helped by the butter-fingered Pakistanis, who dropped him twice. But Gilchrist could not make full use of the opportunity and fell three short of his century, dragging a ball from Razzaq onto his stumps. The same bowler also dismissed Ricky Ponting in a similar fashion for 29. Pakistan missed yet another golden opportunity when stand-in wicketkeeper Younis Khan dropped the in-form Damien Martyn. Luckily for Pakistan, this drop did not prove too costly as Shahid Afridi got rid of him, having him caught by Shoaib Malik not long after. The same pair combined to sent back Symonds just when he was beginning to find some much needed touch. Afridi fooled Symonds with a slower one, only to loft the ball into the safe hands of Malik.

With the top order gone, it was turn of Michael Clarke to take charge. And the ever in-form Clarke did not disappoint once again. With some support from Brett Lee, Clarke helped Australia set a challenging target of 265. For Pakistan, everyone chipped in with the ball. Razzaq ended with impressive figures of 4/53 while Rana, Afridi and debutant Mohammed Khalil all had two scalps each to their name.

Chasing 266, Pakistan did not have the desired start. Butt, Hameed and Younis Khan all were back in the hut with 49 on the board. It was once again left to the experienced duo of Inzamam and Youhana to resurrect the situation. Both put their experience into play and took the score to 123 before Brad Hogg trapped the Pakistani skipper in front of the stumps. Andrew Symonds then brilliantly ran out Shoaib Malik, and Australia were back in the game. But Razzaq and Youhana kept the scoreboard ticking and Pakistan's hope were alive till the very end. Youhana perished for 72, trying to clear the infield, only for Simon Katich to take a simple catch at mid-off. Shahid Afridi then came in and batted in the only fashion he knows - bang, bang, bang. In no time, he had scored 30 from 13 deliveries, a knock that included three fours and two hits that cleared the fence. But with Pakistan still 43 short of victory, Afridi slashed Symonds across the line and Brett Lee gobbled a brilliant catch.

But this was Pakistan's day. Earlier, they dropped four catches and yet got away without having to pay too much for the lapses. Then while batting, a lot of edged and uppish strokes fell in no-man's land. Razzaq and Rana finally saw Pakistan home with some attacking stroke-play and risky singles. The victory should come as a huge morale booster for the struggling Pakistanis. But don't expect them to take this confidence into the game against West Indies. We all know Pakistan can blow hot and cold. So the result of the next tie between Pakistan and West Indies, which will be a virtual semi-final will depend on who is better on the given day.