Picture : ICC/ X
Australia held their nerve as they beat Pakistan by 62 runs in a high- scoring CWC23 encounter in Bengaluru. It was Australia’s second consecutive win.
Babar Azam won the toss and asked Australia to bat on a beautiful batting surface. Aussie openers made Azam rue his move as they posted a record opening stand . It was a brilliant exhibition of power batting. Pakistan were guilty of dropping many catches at it cost them heavily . Dropped on 10 David Warner smashed a blazing ton 163 ( 124 balls , 14 fours 9 sixes) his batting partner big-hitting all – rounder Mitchell Marsh was brute force in his power packed innings 121 (108 balls, 10 fours, 9 sixes).
The duo put on stunning 259 runs for the first wicket partnership. A 400 plus target was on the cards for Aussies given the start. But they lost wickets quickly – Steve Smith ( 7) Glenn Maxwell ( 0) unnecessary heave off the first ball, Marcus Stoinis ( 21 ), Josh Inglis ( 13), Marnus Labuschagne ( 8), Mitchell Starc ( 2), Josh Hazlewood ( 0), Pat Cummins not out ( 6), Adam Zampa not out 1. Pakistan bowlers pegged back Aussies well with Shaheeen Shah Afridi taking 5 wickets . Australia eventually finishing at 367/ 9 in their 50 overs.
Pakistan bowling figures on batting paradise read : Shaheen Shah Afridi excellent with figures of 5/ 54 ( 10 overs), Hasan Ali 0/ 57 ( 8 overs), Iftikhar Ahmed 0/ 37 ( 8 overs), Haris Rauf 3/ 83 ( 8 overs), Usama Mir 1/ 82 ( 9 overs), Mohammad Nawaz 0/ 43 ( 7 overs)
Pakistan chasing 368 started in confident fashion and the openers ; Abdullah Shafique 64 ( 61 balls , 7 fours 2 sixes) and Imam-ul- Haq 70 ( 71 balls , 10 fours) put on 134 for the first wicket. Marcus Stoinis gave the Aussies the breakthrough. But the stiff target saw Pakistan lose wickets on the way – Skipper Babar Azam ( 18 ) caught brilliantly by counterpart Pat Cummins. Mohammad Rizwan ( 46), Iftikhar Ahmed ( 26), Saud Shakeel ( 30), Mohammad Nawaz ( 14), Usama Mir ( 0), Shaheen Afridi ( 10), Hasan Ali ( 8). Pakistan were bowled out for 305/ 10 in 45. 3 overs
For Australia : Mitchell Starc 1/ 65 ( 8 overs), Josh Hazlewood 1/ 37 ( 10 overs), Skipper Pat Cummins 2/ 62 ( 7. 3 overs), Adam Zampa 4/ 53 ( 10overs), Glenn Maxwell 0/ 40 ( 5 overs), Marcus Stoinis 2/ 40( 5 overs)
Match: World Cup 2023, 18th Match
Venue: Bengaluru | Date: October 20, 2023
