Disciplined Australia trounce Pakistan by 62 runs in World Cup match
Cricket
Adam Zampa’s four-fer and key wickets by Marcus Stoinis restricted the Team Green to 305
BENGALURU (Dunya News) – A disciplined performance in all sections helped Australia defeat Pakistan by 62 runs in 18th match of the World Cup 2023 in Bengaluru on Friday.
Adam Zampa’s four-fer and key wickets by Marcus Stoinis restricted the Team Green to 305 runs in 46 overs as Babar Azam's side faced second consecutive defeat of the mega cricket event.
Pakistan’s chase got off to a super start, with openers Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq scoring 70 and 64, respectively before they were removed by Stoinis.
After Babar Azam removed for cheap scores, Mohammad Rizwan (46) and Saud Shakeel (30) tried to built a strong partnership but Pat Cummunis got breakthrough by dismissing Shakeel.
Iftikhar Ahmed revived the hopes for victory by smashing three classy boundaries but he was hit on the pads causing lbw out. Later, Pakistan lost Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Hasan Ali and Shaheen Afridi in quick sessions.
Earlier, a record-breaking opening partnership from David Warner and Mitch Marsh powered Australia to post a target of 368 runs for Pakistan.
The opening pair built he highest opening pair partnership of 259 in any world cup with Warner smashing 163 and Marsh played scintillating knock of 121 runs as they took benefits of errors by Pakistan bowling lineup.
— ICC (@ICC) October 20, 2023
In late breakthrough, Shaheen Shah Afridi removed Marsh followed by two quick wickets of Glenn Maxwell and Steve Smit. Warner was dismissed for fiery 163 by Haris Rauf.
Middle-order pair of Marcus Stoinis and Josh Inglis tried to maintain the momentum with smashing boundaries but they were sent to packing for 21 and 13, respectively. Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood from tail order were dismissed in quick sessions, restricting them from putting more score on the board.
Shaheen Afridi claimed a late five-wicket haul while Haris Rauf took three wickets haul and Usama Mir could dismiss one in his World Cup debut.
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 20, 2023
Earlier, Pakistan won the toss and decided to field first against Aussies.
Pre-match coverage
Pakistan captain Babar Azam will be watched closely in the clash against Australia as he has only scored one fifty against India in the previous game in this World Cup.
The battle of the two cricket powerhouses promises to deliver thrill and excitement to the fans in the stands and around the world. Pakistan are placed fourth on the 10-team points table with two wins from three matches.
Australia’s chances of making the semi-finals of the World Cup could well hinge on the outcome of this game against Pakistan.
Defeats to India and South Africa in their opening two matches mean that Pat Cummins’ side can likely only afford to lose a maximum of two more games and quite possibly just one more in the remainder of their group-stage fixtures if they are to stand a chance of finishing in the top four spots.
And a loss to Pakistan, who already have two wins to their name, would be a particularly significant blow to the five-time winners’ hopes of adding a sixth title to their country’s men’s Cricket World Cup tally.
Pakistan’s disappointing loss to India last time out was a setback after a strong start. But victory over the Aussies would help Babar Azam’s side pull clear over their rivals in the race for the semi-final spots as they approach the halfway stage of their group campaign.
Pakistan’s captain currently tops the MRF Tyres ODI Men’s Batting Rankings, but his form hasn’t quite clicked so far at the tournament.
A fine half-century against India showed glimpses of Babar hitting his stride after disappointing returns against Netherlands and Sri Lanka. Still, he’ll want to be making bigger contributions than that going forward.
In all likelihood his team will need bigger contributions from the skipper too, if they are to stand a chance of making the top four. And there would be no better time for a Babar special than in this key fixture.
Nineteen career ODI hundreds and an average of 57.02 in the format suggest that big runs are just around the corner.
Squads
Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim.
Australia squad: Pat Cummins (c), Steve Smith, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Sean Abbott, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa, Mitchell Starc.
