In the 18th match of the ongoing ICC World Cup at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, India, Australia secured a 62-run victory over Pakistan.
The Australian team successfully limited Pakistan to a total of 305 runs, having set a formidable target of 368 runs on the scoreboard, thanks to an impressive 259-run partnership between David Warner and Mitchell Marsh.
Pakistan’s opening pair, Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique, made a promising start with a 134-run partnership, marking the first time a Pakistani opening pair achieved a century stand against Australia in a World Cup match. However, Abdullah’s innings was ended at 64 runs, courtesy of a top edge on Marcus Stoinis’ delivery. Soon after, Imam also departed for 70 runs.
With Pakistan at 154-2 in 23.4 overs, a substantial partnership was urgently needed, but their captain, Babar Azam, was dismissed by Adam Zampa after scoring just 18 runs, thanks to an exceptional catch by Pat Cummins.
The Green Shirts continued to lose wickets at regular intervals, but when Iftikhar Ahmed entered the game, it seemed like Pakistan might stage a comeback as the 33-year-old started hitting boundaries. However, Adam Zampa broke through and removed Iftikhar and Mohammad Rizwan in consecutive overs.
Ultimately, Pakistan was all out for 305 runs in 45.3 overs.
In their innings, Australia posted an impressive 367 runs, marking the highest total against Pakistan in World Cup history. David Warner and Mitchell Marsh’s 259-run partnership made history as Australia’s highest-ever opening stand in World Cup cricket. It was also the first instance in World Cup cricket that Pakistan conceded over a 200-run partnership. This opening stand was also Australia’s second-highest for any wicket ever and the second-highest by any team in the World Cup.
Mitchell Marsh scored 121 runs before being dismissed by Shaheen Afridi, while David Warner reached 163 runs, the highest individual score against Pakistan in World Cup cricket, surpassing Andrew Symonds’ 143 in 2003.
Shaheen Afridi was the standout bowler for Pakistan, claiming five wickets, marking his second World Cup five-wicket haul.
