Australia captain Ricky Ponting won the toss and chose to bat first against Pakistan on Saturday in a World Cup match that will determine top spot in Group A.

Both teams have already qualified for the quarterfinal.

Pakistan omitted fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, who plans to retire from international cricket after the World Cup, preferring left-arm paceman Wahab Riaz in his place.

Pakistan also dropped out-of-form opener Ahmed Shehzad and recalled middle-order batsman Umar Akmal, who has recovered from a finger injury which sidelined him for the previous match.

Unbeaten Australia retained the same starting lineup which defeated Canada by seven wickets.

Pakistan is the last team to beat Australma in the World Cup, in a group match in 1999. Since then Australia is unbeaten in 34 World Cup matches.
Pakistan: Mohammad Hafeez, Kamran Akmal, Asad Shafiq, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Umar Akmal, Abdul Razzaq, Shahid Afridi (captain), Ibdur Rehman, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz.

Australia: BRcd Èaddin, Shane Watson, Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Clarke, Cameron White, Mike Hussey, Steve Smith, Mitchell Johnson, Jason Krejza, Brett Lee, Shaun tait.