Waqar Younis took six wickets to inspire Pakistan to a thrilling triumph over Australia yesterday at Trent Bridge in a game which at one stage looked set to be remembered for a walk-off by Steve Waugh's side.

Pakistan's innings of 290 for nine at Trent Bridge, built around Salim Elahi's top score of 79, seemed set to be marred by the Australians leaving the field for 20 minutes near the end after a live firework landed near one of their fielders.

But they returned after being given assurances about their safety and the match, a dress rehearsal for the tournament final at Lord's on Saturday, culminated in a thrilling run chase during which fortunes fluctuated wildly.

Waqar, however, who claimed the second-best figures in one-day history of seven for 36 against England at Headingley on Sunday, ended with six for 59 this time to settle the 36-run win as Australia were bowled out for 254 in 46.3 overs.

At Headingley, the Pakistan captain's brilliant display of swing bowling was tainted by a pitch invasion just before the end which prompted England to concede the game rather than risk taking the field again.

This time, though, the disruption, which began when spectators were scattered in a stand as fireworks were fired off, was almost forgotten as Waqar, man of the match again, reduced Australia to six for two in his first over.

The right-arm pace bowler had Mark Waugh brilliantly caught behind off his first ball by the diving Rashid Latif and Matthew Hayden also fell for a duck. Waqar then bowled Michael Bevan to make it 35 for three.

By then wicketkeeper-batsman Adam Gilchrist had begun an extraordinary fight-back as 41 runs came off three Waqar overs, while Wasim Akram was also hammered to all parts.

When off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq halted the rot with two quick wickets, including Gilchrist comprehensively bowled for a 44ball 70 which included 54 in boundaries - 12 fours and a six - Steve Waugh and Matthew Symonds fought back again with a 77-run stand for the sixth wicket.

They kept the Australians well ahead of the required run rate.

Waqar, however, returned to remove both in one over, Waugh making 56 while Symonds was caught at the fourth attempt at deep square leg by juggling Imran Nazir, to all but settle the match as the Australian tail was exposed.

Australia play England, who have lost all five of their games, tomorrow in the final first-phase match.