By In a scintillating display of cricketing prowess, Australia managed to secure a resounding 62-run victory over Pakistan during a thrilling World Cup group match. The showdown, which witnessed a plethora of boundaries and a high-scoring encounter, saw Australia’s openers, David Warner and Mitchell Marsh, stealing the limelight with their outstanding centuries.
Australia’s triumph catapulted them to the fourth spot in the standings, leveling with fifth-placed Pakistan at four points but edging ahead with a superior net run rate.
The match began with Pakistan winning the toss and opting to field first. However, their aspirations of an early breakthrough were soon dashed as David Warner (163) and Mitchell Marsh (121) unleashed a spectacular 259-run partnership.
Warner, who was named the player of the match, later commented on their partnership, saying, “The partnership was awesome. Once we got the pace of the wicket in five, or 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 on a ground like this.”
The opening duo’s explosive performance was nothing short of a power-hitting masterclass. They capitalized on the flat pitch and short boundaries at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, amassing a staggering 24 fours and 18 sixes between them.
Warner’s early escape from an LBW review and subsequent dropped catches allowed him to continue his onslaught. Skipper Babar Azam admitted, “We were not up to the mark. If you drop Warner, he will not spare you.”
The first powerplay saw the pair rack up 82 runs, and they both notched up their centuries in the 31st over, showcasing an awe-inspiring display of batting prowess.
However, the celebrations for Mitchell Marsh were cut short as he fell to Shaheen Afridi, who made amends with a crucial catch at short fine leg. Warner, too, met his end after a heroic 163, falling to Haris Rauf’s delivery.
As Warner walked off, he received a standing ovation from the crowd and warm handshakes from the Pakistan players. This marked his seventh score of 150-plus in ODIs, a testament to his incredible consistency.
Despite Pakistan’s promising start, they soon came undone. Abdullah Shafique (64) and Imam-ul-Haq (70) laid a solid foundation with their opening partnership, but their top-order batsmen failed to capitalize on their promising starts.
In the latter part of the innings, Pakistan’s chase lost steam, with sixes becoming a rare commodity. The required run rate began to climb, and Pakistan’s batsmen went for their shots, ultimately leading to their downfall.
Marcus Stoinis, with his very first delivery, dismissed Shafique, and Imam-ul-Haq soon followed. Skipper Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed made promising starts, but a sharp diving catch by Pat Cummins sent Azam packing. Adam Zampa, with his brilliant spin, picked up crucial wickets, and Pakistan’s hopes began to wane.
The final moments of the game witnessed Shaheen Afridi cleaning up the tail, finishing with impressive figures of 5-54. Australia’s dominant performance and the destructive partnership between Warner and Marsh set the tone for a resounding victory.
Skipper Pat Cummins praised the dynamic duo, stating, “That was proper (batting) from those two; it set the tone for how we want to play our cricket, take the game on.”
Australia’s triumph over Pakistan was a testament to their unwavering determination and their ability to seize the moment in high-scoring encounters. This victory has revitalized Australia’s campaign and has firmly placed them on the World Cup radar as a formidable force to be reckoned with.
