Pakistan, having been dismissed for an inadequate 213, fought back hard and when Australia were 59 for three an upset was a real possibility.
Brilliant, hostile fast bowling by Wahab Riaz as he put, particularly, experienced Shane Watson through the wringer in his six-over opening spell was terrific viewing.
Watson ducked, weaved and managed to survive by good luck as much as technical skill.
He was dropped, a sitter at fine leg by Rahat Ali on four, twice popped balls up just short of fielders and had one ball fly off the shoulder of his bat over slips and short of third man.
Riaz already had David Warner caught at third man and induced a gentle pop up to short leg by Australian captain Michael Clarke.
With Pakistan riding hard on emotion, the crowd was in uproar as Watson clung on through Riaz's magnificent spell before emerging with a memorable unbeaten 64.
Once Cyclone Riaz passed, Australia pulled clear, on the back of a range of exotic Glenn Maxwell shots. Even so, luckless Riaz had Maxwell dropped, a running catch at third man by Sohail Khan.
By contrast with Watson's dramas, at the other end, Steven Smith played a superb innings. He looked as if he was facing different bowlers, or playing on a different pitch from his team mates.
Riaz's first spell, 6-0-24-2, will however live long in the memory.
Pakistan's innings was in difficulties early. One thing about Australian teams is whatever travails they may be having with bat or ball, they generally field superbly.
So sharp slip catches by Shane Watson and Michael Clarke, both low to their right at first and second slip respectively, ensured wickets inside the first six overs.
Pakistan found stability in a 73-run third wicket stand between lefthander Haris Sohail and 40-year-old skipper Misbah-ul-Haq.
They did well for a time. Sohail played some handsome strokes, but lived dangerously while Misbah twice lifted offspinner Maxwell into the crowd at mid wicket, only to try a third time and come up short.
That was a bad blow as Misbah, as well as being the leader, is Pakistan's most reliable batsman. He hit four half centuries in the cup, and averaged 50.
From the time of his dismissal, Pakistan were unable to get a decent partnership established.
Several batsmen fell to poor shots, notably Umar Akmal, a serial offender in that respect, veteran Shahid Afridi and Sohaib Maqsood, all out in the 20s.
In the end, Pakistan limped past 200 as Australia kept the foot down.
Man of the match Josh Hazlewood impressed with movement and accuracy in taking four for 35, while Mitchell Starc's two for 40 moved him to 18 wickets in the cup, and top wicket taker.
South Africa will play either New Zealand or the West Indies in Auckland in the first semifinal on Tuesday night.
