Pakistan ended Australia’s 35-match unbeaten World Cup run in 2011. Pakistan won the Group A match in Colombo on 19 March 2011, defeating Australia by four wickets.
Australia had dominated the tournament since its previous World Cup defeat, against Pakistan at Headingley in 1999. During that span, Australia won the 1999, 2003 and 2007 World Cups, establishing one of the competition’s great dynasties. The 2011 loss was therefore a major upset, even though Australia still qualified for the quarter-finals.
Australia was bowled out for 176, with Umar Gul taking three wickets. Pakistan’s chase was guided by Umar Akmal, who finished unbeaten, while captain Shahid Afridi’s team secured victory with 54 balls remaining. Some records describe Australia’s streak as 34 unbeaten matches because they count a tie and a no-result separately; the answer to the question remains Pakistan.