ISLAMABAD: Australian bowlers managed to restrict Pakistan to 305 runs in a high scoring game and win the match by 62 runs in the ICC contest being played at Bengaluru on Friday. Two centuries by both the openers David Warner and Mitchel March from Australia made the side to compile a huge total chasing which was a gigantic task for Pakistan.
Chasing a huge target of 368 to win Pakistan openers also took a decent start and manage to accelerate the innings with about 6 runs per over. Both the players didn’t opt for sixes, however they manage to score boundaries with singles and doubles. Both manage to complete 100 runs in first 16 overs. Later they also completed their half centuries and provided 134 runs partnership for the first wicket to create some hope for the middle and lower order.
In the 22nd over Australia got the first wicket when Abdullah Shafiq was dismissed by Stoinis on 64. In the 24th over Imam was also dismissed on 74. Babar and Rizwan pushed the inning ahead. However, tout of form Babar again failed to deliver for his side and was got out on 18 runs when the total reached 175 in the 27th over. Babar was replaced by Saud Shakil who along with Rizwan contributed 57 runs partnership. However, Saud was gone for scoring 30 runs on 31 balls. At the stage Pakistan were 232 for 4 in 34.2 overs
However, when Iftikhar joined Rizwan both the batters accelerated the innings and again created some hope. Iftikhar hit some long sixes and brought the run rate down. But he was removed by Zampa on 26. Iftikhar faced 20 balls while hitting 3 sixes. After the dismissal of Iftikhar Australia dominated the game. A couple of overs later Zampa got the wicket of Rizwan on 46. The next over witnessed the dismissal of Usama followed by dismissal of Nawaz in the next over. At the stage Pakistan were 287 for the loss of 8 wickets in 43 overs. In the 45th over when score reached 301, Australia got the 9 wicket when Hassan Ali was dismissed on 8. Pakistan were all out on 305 in the 46th over to suffer their second defeat in the mega event.
From Australia Adam Zampa was the most successful bowler taking 4 wickets while conceding 53 runs in his 10 over spill. Stoinis and Pat Cummins got two wickets each while Hazlewood and Starc got one wicket each.
Australia Batting
Earlier winning the toss Babar Aza invited Austria to bat first on a batting paradise. Perhaps it was a good toss to win for the Aussies as both their openers baton charge Pakistanis bowling attack at the rate of above 8 runs per over. The only chance Shaheen Afridi created was missed by Usama at Mid-on via a drop catch. After getting that opportunity Warner didn’t stop and smashed Pakistani bowlers across the boundary. They completed the first 100 runs in just 11 overs.
Both Marsh and Warner completed their century in style and didn’t spare any bowler. Pakistan got some relief when Shaheen strike twice in over number 34. He removed Marsh on 21 and the danger Maxwel on zero. Mitchel Marsh scored 121 including 9 sixes and 10 fours. In the 39th over Pakistan got third wicket when Usama Mir dismissed Steven Smith on 7. At the stage Australia were 284 for 3 in the 39th over.
However, on the other hand David Warner continued to accelerate the inning with the same pace. He also completed his 150 runs. However, on 163 he was dismissed by today’s most expensive bowler Haris Rauf. Warner inning included 9 sixes and 14 boundaries. The dismissal of warner became a nightmare for Pakistan after dropping his catch in the initial overs when he scored just 10 runs. At the stage Australia were 325 for 4 in 42.2 overs. In the forty fifth over Haris Rauf also dismissed Josh Inglis on 13 when the total reached 339. After warner and Marsh, rest of the batters also added some crucial runs to the total. Josh Inglis was replaced by Marnus Labuschagne who along with Stoinis pushed the scoreboard ahead. However, in the 48th Over Shaheen got the wicket of Stioinis on 21. In 49th over Haris got out Labuschagne on 8 while Shaheen dismissed Star in the last over. After adding few more runs Australia scored 367 runs for the loss of 9 wicket in 50 overs.
Pakistani pacers in the end and spinners in the middle bowled some good deliveries but it was too late to stop Australia from filing a huge total.
From Pakistan Shaheen Afridi was the most successful bowler taking 5 wickets in his 10 over spill while conceding just 54 runs. Haris Raud also got three wickets but he was very much expensive while conceding 83 runs in his 8 over spill. Usama Mir grabbed one wicket.
Pakistan Team: Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan †, Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf and Usama Mir
Australia Team: David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steven Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Josh Inglis †, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Adam Zampa and Josh Hazlewood
