Australia secured a commanding victory over Pakistan, defeating them by a margin of 62 runs in a high-scoring World Cup group game on Friday. This win revitalized Australia’s campaign with their second consecutive victory, largely attributable to outstanding centuries from their openers, David Warner and Mitchell Marsh.
Australia climbed to the fourth position in the standings, tying with fifth-placed Pakistan, both accumulating four points but with Australia holding a superior net run rate.
Pakistan won the toss and chose to field first, but their hopes of taking early wickets were dashed as Warner (163) and Marsh (121) initiated a ferocious onslaught, forming a 259-run partnership.
Warner, who received the player of the match award, praised their partnership, stating, “The partnership was awesome. Once we got the pace of the wicket in five-six overs, we targeted the next set of guys. It helps when you hit the ball in the middle, you need to take your chances in a ground like this. The groin is a little sore but it’s all cramps… Part of my DNA is to run hard between wickets.”
In response, Pakistan’s Abdullah Shafique (64) and Imam-ul-Haq (70) established a solid foundation with a 134-run opening partnership. However, the rest of the top order could not capitalize on their promising starts, leading to their dismissal at 305 runs.
Warner and Marsh showcased a remarkable display of power-hitting, capitalizing on the favorable conditions of a flat wicket and short boundaries at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, accumulating a total of 24 fours and 18 sixes between them.
Despite surviving an lbw review and a couple of dropped catches, Warner’s remarkable innings came to an end when he was caught in the deep by Haris Rauf while attempting to clear the long-on boundary. This marked his seventh 150-plus score in ODIs.
After Warner’s departure, Australia struggled, losing their last six wickets for just 38 runs, with Shaheen Afridi finishing with figures of 5-54.
Pakistan’s opening pair, Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq, exhibited confident strokes and rotation of strike but managed to hit few sixes. Shafique was dropped on 27, and Imam was dropped on 48, providing Pakistan with a couple of reprieves.
Marcus Stoinis made an immediate impact by dismissing Shafique for 64, while Imam fell in the next over, caught at third man.
Pakistan’s middle order made promising starts, but skipper Pat Cummins took a sharp diving catch to dismiss Babar Azam, and Adam Zampa (4-53) accounted for Iftikhar Ahmed and two more wickets, ultimately securing Australia’s convincing win.
(Islamabad51_Newsdesk)
