The world champions' latest one-day victory was especially impressive as it was the first time their bowlers had taken the field in a rain-marred event.

"A lot of it comes down to having been in that situation a lot and having won a lot," Ponting told reporters after Australia got home with 17 balls left.

"I guess that's the sign of a very good side that when you get into big games the good players in the team put their hands up and do the job."

Ponting, speaking ahead of his team's departure for England where the Champions Trophy -- a one-day competition Australia have never won -- is being staged, added: "It was a great result for us today and something we can take to England with a bit of confidence."

Pakistan, chasing 193 for victory, were on course but after Yousuf Youhana went for 43 their innings fell away and they were bowled out for 175.

Man-of-the match Andrew Symonds, who struck a blistering 143 not out when the teams last met in Australia's 82-run opening match win of their victorious World Cup campaign last year, turned in a fine all-round display.

After Matthew Hayden anchored the Australia innings with a patient 59, the powerful Symonds weighed in with a 40-ball 36.

He then took two for 25 bowling in his off-spin style -- Symonds can also turn his arm over as a medium-pacer.

Symonds also effected two run outs in successive balls that saw key batsman Shoaib Malik and Shahid Afridi dismissed with 20 overs left when either one of them might have won the match.

"It was an amazing thing," said Symonds of his run-outs before admitting batting had been hard going.

Several days of rain in the run-up to the final had left a pitch of uneven bounce at the VRA Ground, just outside Amsterdam, as well as a sodden outfield which often stopped what, on a dry surface, would have been certain boundaries.