Bengaluru, Oct 20: In a must win match, Australia were 354/6 in 47.1 overs against Pakistan in the 18th match of the ICC ODI World Cup at Chinnaswamy Stadium, here on Friday.
Both openers David Warner and Mitchell Marsh batted with ease and aggression against Pakistani bowlers till 33.5 overs. Both scored centuries.
Finally, Shaheen Shah Afridi got Marsh (121 in 108 balls) caught at fine leg by Usama Mir. But by then, Marsh-Warner pair had put up a massive 259 runs partnership for the first wicket.
Glenn Maxwell promoted up the order, perhaps to play freely and accelerate further, however failed. He went for a golden duck. Maxwell was caught at mid on by captain Babar Azam and Afridi struck again, got two in two balls.
At the fall of Maxwell's wicket, experienced Steven Smith joined Warner in the middle. But he went back cheaply scoring only 7 in 9 balls.
Pakistan claimed 3 wickets in less than 5 overs. From 259/0, Australia were suddenly placed at 284/3.
Warner's 124-ball explosive innings finally came to an end, with 14 boundaries and 9 huge sixes. When he was caught by substitute Shadab Khan off Haris Rauf, Warner has already shattered the opposition with a superb 163-run hurricane innings.
Rauf also got rid of Aussie keeper Josh Inglish (13 runs in 9 balls). He was sent back caught by his Pakistani counterpart Mohd Rizwan behind the stumps and Rauf got his second scalp.
Trying to accelerate Marcus Stoinis (21), Marnus Labuschagne (8), Mitchell Starc (2) and Josh Hazlewood (0) departed in quick succession. Skipper Pat Cummins (6) remained unbeaten with Adam Zampa (1).
For the Pakistanis, Afridi was the most successful and economical bowler with a 5/54 figure. Rauf 3/83 in 8 overs and Usama Mir 1/82 in 9 overs, too managed to feature in the wickets-column.
Earlier, Pakistan captain Babar Azam won the toss and elected to field first against the Aussies.
Pakistan rested off-colour spinner Shadab Khan and brought in tall leg-spinner Usama Mir. But Mir too proved to be struggling as Australians went berserk with the willow.
After winning the toss, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam said, "It looks a good pitch and we want to take early wickets and put pressure. We had a couple of good sessions and rest days. We are confident. We need to bat better and we were not up to the mark against India. Shadab Khan out for Usama Mir. We are trying different combinations."
Australian captain Pat Cummins said, "We are fine batting first, although we too have bowled first. It's a really good wicket and we are happy with the energy we brought out against Sri Lanka in the field. The intent with the bat was excellent. We hope for much of the same. Same side, everyone's good to go."
Australia XI: David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (wicket-keeper), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (captain), Adam Zampa and Josh Hazlewood.
Pakistan XI: Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (captain), Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf and Usama Mir.
