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Australia amassed a formidable total of 367-9, with Warner contributing a magnificent 163 and Marsh, celebrating his 32nd birthday, notching up an impressive 121.Pakistan’s hopes were dashed by their poor bowling and fielding, notably when Warner was dropped at just 10 runs.
Leg-spinner Adam Zampa played a pivotal role by capturing 4 wickets for 53 runs as Pakistan was bowled out for 305 in 45.3 overs. This result left both teams with two wins and two losses in the tournament.
AS IT HAPPENED | SCORECARD
Mohammad Rizwan (46) and Saud Shakeel (30) showed some resistance, adding 57 runs for the fourth wicket, but their efforts were cut short by Pat Cummins, who dismissed Saud Shakeel, while Zampa accounted for Rizwan, Iftikhar Ahmed (26), and Mohammad Nawaz (14).
Pakistan had a solid start, with an opening partnership of 134, only their second century partnership this year, courtesy of Imam-ul-Haq (70) and Abdullah Shafique (64). However, Australia had their share of fortune, dropping Shafique and Imam during their innings.
Australia’s innings was set up by Warner and Marsh, who entertained the crowd with their breathtaking performances. Warner was fortunate to survive a leg-before-wicket appeal off the very first ball and was dropped on 10 in the fifth over.
Nevertheless, he went on to play a sensational knock of 163 off 124 balls. Marsh, on the other hand, hammered a fine innings of 121 off 108 balls. The duo’s partnership reached 259 runs by the 34th over, marking an Australian World Cup opening stand record.
Warner’s innings featured 14 boundaries and nine towering sixes, while Marsh’s knock included ten boundaries and nine sixes. Their partnership was brought to an end when Marsh was caught by Usama Mir off Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Despite Glenn Maxwell falling for a golden duck and Steve Smith getting caught and bowled by Mir for just seven runs, Warner continued to pile on the runs, hitting three more sixes before ultimately departing after holing out at long-on.
Australia vs Pakistan, ICC World Cup: Twin centuries by Warner, Marsh allow Australia to post 367
Shaheen Shah Afridi, who took 5-54, led Pakistan’s comeback in the final ten overs, with six wickets falling for 70 runs. Haris Rauf contributed with 3-83.
Pakistan next face Afghanistan in Chennai on Monday while Australia’s next opponents are the Netherlands in New Delhi two days later.
(With AFP inputs)