Chasing a target of 135 runs, Haider Ali's 65* off 43 including three sixes and skipper Azam's 51 from 28 balls put their side over the line with 29 balls to spare.
Pakistan have rebounded superbly and bring momentum into Sunday's final against England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Babar Azam (104) hit his second Test century and Mohammad Rizwan 95 to stall Australia's march to victory and once they had departed, Pakistan were soon all out for 335.
Ponting believes Saim Ayub is worth keeping an eye on during the T20 World Cup.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam on Tuesday backed outgoing India head coach Ravi Shastri's view that competing regularly in bio-bubbles is not easy for the players as it can leave them 'disturbed and uncomfortable'.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam offered consolation to team mate Hasan Ali whose costly mistake in the field allowed Matthew Wade to secure Australia's thrilling victory in the Twenty20 World Cup semi-final on Thursday.
The role of outside elements including agents of players and some former players who ran social media campaigns also have not helped ease the simmering tensions in the team.
Babar Azam provided 73 in 95 deliveries with the visitors profiting from some sloppy South African fielding as they dropped numerous catches and were not accurate enough with the ball.
'There are matches immediately after Netherlands, so it's unlikely there will be time for changes'
Babar remains the linchpin of Pakistan's batting, says captain Shan Masood
Ahead of the ICC World Cup 2023, the PCB is exploring the possibility of sending a psychologist with the squad to India to cope with the pressures of the high-profile tournament.
Every player in this team is hungry for success: Babar Azam
Star batter Virat Kohli, who is the second leading run-getter in the World Cup with 354 runs after five matches, has improved three spots to be on joint fifth spot with Aussie left-handed opener David Warner (up two spots).
Even though IPL is widely regarded as the top T20 tournament worldwide, Hasan is optimistic that despite the scheduling clash, viewers will prefer to watch PSL if the players up the ante and perform better.
Abrar Ahmed made a stunning Test debut claiming seven for 114 to bowl out England for 281
Babar smashed an unbeaten 105 and opener Imam-ul-Haq made 89 not out
"We played a lot of dot balls because our set batsmen got out and it was not easy for a new batter coming in. They needed two to three balls to settle and that forced us onto the back foot,"
According to sources aware of developments in the Board, a few players are contemplating if they should travel to New Zealand.
Imad Wasim is in doubt for the upcoming high-voltage clash against India in the T20 World Cup 2024 due to a suspected rib injury
'Pakistan can beat any team on any given day'
Babar was also one of the few bright spots from Pakistan's previous tour to Australia in 2019-2020, where he scored 97 and 101.
Rizwan's unbeaten half-century not only helped Pakistan chase down a modest target of 107 but also saw him equal Rohit Sharma's record for most fifties by a T20I opener
New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson was ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy with a foot injury on Tuesday in a major blow for the Black Caps.
Kohli has elevated one spot to secure the third position in the latest ODI Player Rankings
IMAGES from the Champions Trophy Group A match played between Pakistan and New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi on Wednesday.
Varma's current rating of 832 points is the fourth-highest ever achieved by an Indian batter in T20I history, behind only Suryakumar Yadav, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul.
Pakistan's disappointing group stage exit, which included losses to India and debutants USA, has sparked widespread criticism.
It was a starry affair at the Narendra Modi stadium as the skippers of all ten World Cup teams attended the captain's day.
Pakistan team has recently lost the three-Test series against Australia 0-3, before going down 1-4 in the five-match T20 series against New Zealand.
He is the first Indian to achieve the feat of scoring a century in all three formats in international cricket at a single venue.
Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja lashed out at his countrymen following Saturday's "battering" by India in the ODI World Cup match in Ahmedabad, saying the national team has got to do something about it.
Pakistan were all out for 260 in 47.2 overs with Babar Azam (64) and Khushdil Shah (69) scoring half-centuries but the hosts never looked in the hunt.
Both were equally good balls: Kuldeep Yadav on prized wickets of Babar Azam and Jos Buttler
Inzamam ul Haq blames ousted PCB Interim Committee chairman Zaka Ashraf for mess in Pakistan cricket
Rohit currently sits at fourth place in the overall list of captains with the most T20I wins.
The home side are chasing a modest target of 148 after bowling out Pakistan for 237 and if they win will be assured a place in the WTC final at Lord's.
From England's fiery all-rounder Ben Stokes to India's rising star Shubman Gill, and the ever-reliable Babar Azam from Pakistan, these cricketing maestros are ready to redefine the game.
USA caused the biggest upset of the T20 World Cup when they shocked former champions Pakistan via the Super Over.
Former Pakistan cricketers and the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman, Mohsin Naqvi came down heavily on the team management and the players, after their six-run loss to India on Sunday.
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