Champions Australia were shot out for 176 runs by Pakistan on Saturday in their World Cup Group A match, the outcome of which will decide the top spot in the group.

The four-time champions, unbeaten for 34 matches in the tournament dating back to 1999, struggled for momentum through out their innings after opting to bat first.

A 63-run second wicket stand between Brad Haddin (42) and captain Ricky Ponting (19), who failed once again with the bat, was the only notable partnership in the Australian innings.

Paceman Umar Gul (3-30) bowled superbly with both the new and the old ball for the 1992 champions, who were the last team to defeat Australia in a World Cup match in 1999.