PERENNIAL rivals Pakistan and India found in defeat something they would never have experienced in victory on the balcony of the Kowloon Cricket Club yesterday - an opportunity to rub shoulders with one another.
At the break, the finalists in the Cup competition last year were resigned to the fact that they would spend the afternoon as spectators, having been humbled by the game's glorious uncertainties.
Defending the inaugural title they won last year, Pakistan were unable to reach the same heights as they failed in their fight to reach the semi-finals.
Australia, New Zealand and Pakistan all had a chance to earn a place alongside the other semi-finalists, England, Sri Lanka and South Africa, who had qualified on the first day.
With Mark Waugh batting superbly to register unbeaten knocks of 36 twice, Australia sped to victories over New Zealand, by four wickets, and Pakistan, by 14 runs.
This gave Australia the sought-after berth, putting Wasim Akram's Pakistan out of contention, out of the limelight, and out of favour with a large group of their supporters on one side of the ground.
The partisan Pakistanis had company. Their Indian brethren were also an unhappy lot, having seen their team make only a brief presence in the second match of the day, when they defeated Hong Kong by four wickets to win the Plate trophy.