Feisty opener Brad Haddin was embroiled in a heated altercation with Pakistan players as Australia's incredible 34-match World Cup unbeaten streak finally came to an end.

The in-form Pakistanis gave the defending champions a timely wake-up call in their final group game, winning by four wickets at the R. Premadasa Stadium after rolling Australia for 176 in the 47th over.

Brett Lee (4-28) bowled magnificently to give Australia hope, but rookie No.3 Asad Shafiq (46) and 20-year-old prodigy Umar Akmal (44no) helped steer Pakistan home with nine overs to spare.

The defeat was a costly one for the Australians, who will face a sudden-death quarter-final against India in Ahmedabad if the powerhouse host country beats the West Indies as expected today.

Australia hadn't been beaten at the World Cup since a 10-run loss to Pakistan in the 1999 tournament and the same nation returned to snap the remarkable run.

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