INDIA: Australia showcased their dominance as they triumphed over Pakistan, winning by a substantial margin of 62 runs at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. The victory not only marked Australia’s second consecutive win in the tournament but also breathed new life into their campaign after a shaky start.
Australia vs Pakistan
The 18th match of the 2023 World Cup saw Australia set a formidable target with an impressive performance at the crease. Opening batsmen David Warner and Mitchell Marsh stole the limelight with their powerful batting displays.
Warner, in particular, was the star of the show, hammering a colossal 163 runs from just 124 balls, which included an astonishing 14 fours and nine sixes. Marsh ably supported him, contributing 121 runs off 108 deliveries, striking 10 boundaries, and an equal number of sixes.
Pakistan, in response, began their innings on a strong note. Openers Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq provided a glimmer of hope with a formidable 134-run partnership. Both batsmen reached half-centuries during this impressive stand.
However, the tide of the match began to turn when Marcus Stoinis entered the bowling attack for Australia. Stoinis made an immediate impact, dismissing Shafique with his very first ball and subsequently sending Imam back to the pavilion.
Babar Azam, Pakistan’s captain, was next to fall, thanks to a breathtaking catch by Pat Cummins off the bowling of Adam Zampa. Despite the efforts of Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, and Iftikhar Ahmed, Pakistan found themselves struggling to chase down the target set by Australia. The pressure ultimately proved too much, as Pakistan was bowled out for 305, falling 62 runs short of their goal.
In a noteworthy performance for Pakistan, Shaheen Afridi led a late fightback by claiming a five-wicket haul. Meanwhile, Haris Rauf also made a significant contribution with the ball, taking three wickets.
This win for Australia marked their second consecutive victory in the tournament, and it has rekindled their hopes after a rather disappointing start. In contrast, Pakistan’s second consecutive defeat has put them under pressure to bounce back into the competition.
Also Read: World Cup 2023: Virat Kohli’s Landmark Century Drives India to a 7-wicket Win over Bangladesh
