In an exciting match at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, Australia secured a commanding victory over Pakistan in the 18th match of the ICC World Cup 2023, winning by 62 runs.
Aussies Take the Lead
Australia set the stage by establishing an imposing target of 368 runs, thanks to a record-breaking partnership of 259 runs between David Warner and Mitchell Marsh. This dynamic duo broke several records and displayed their cricketing prowess. Their remarkable collaboration marked the highest-ever opening stand in World Cup history for Australia. Additionally, it marked the first time that Pakistan had conceded a partnership of over 200 runs in the tournament. Marsh, who delivered an incredible innings of 121 runs, fell to Shaheen Afridi, while Warner made history with an astonishing 163 runs, becoming the highest individual scorer against Pakistan in World Cup history, surpassing Andrew Symonds’ 143 in 2003.
Pakistan Starts Strong
Pakistan initiated their chase with a promising opening partnership between Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique, resulting in a century stand. This was a notable achievement for Pakistan against Australia in World Cup matches. However, the green shirts faced a setback as Abdullah Shafique was dismissed after scoring 64 runs. Shortly afterward, Imam-ul-Haq, who contributed 70 runs, was dismissed. Pakistan’s score stood at 154-2 in 23.4 overs, and they desperately needed a substantial partnership to stay in the game.
Wickets Fall
As Pakistan sought to regain their footing, their skipper Babar Azam’s wicket fell after he scored just 18 runs, thanks to an exceptional catch by Pat Cummins off Adam Zampa’s delivery. The green shirts continued to lose wickets at regular intervals. A glimmer of hope arose when Iftikhar Ahmed started hitting boundaries, suggesting a potential resurgence for Pakistan. However, Adam Zampa proved to be the game-changer, removing Iftikhar and Mohammad Rizwan in quick succession.
Shaheen Afridi’s Heroics
Shaheen Afridi shone as the standout bowler for Pakistan, claiming five wickets in a remarkable display of bowling prowess. This marked his second five-wicket haul in a World Cup match, showcasing his immense potential and skill on the global stage.
Australia’s victory over Pakistan demonstrated their dominance in the ICC World Cup 2023. As the tournament progresses, fans can anticipate more thrilling encounters and exceptional displays of talent on the cricket field.