Bengaluru, October 20, 2023 – Australia put on a batting masterclass to defeat Pakistan by 62 runs in a high-scoring ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 group match on Friday.
David Warner and Mitchell Marsh both scored centuries, and Glenn Maxwell added a quickfire half-century, as Australia posted a mammoth 367/9 in their 50 overs.
Warner was in sublime form, striking 163 runs off 154 balls, including 15 fours and three sixes. Marsh also played a superb knock, scoring 129 runs off 120 balls, with 10 fours and three sixes.
Maxwell then provided a late flourish, hitting 76 runs off 50 balls, with eight fours and four sixes.
Pakistan made a valiant effort in reply, but they were always behind the run rate. Babar Azam top-scored with 102 runs off 104 balls, but he received little support from his teammates.
Shaheen Afridi was the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan, taking four wickets for 65 runs. However, it was not enough to prevent Australia from cruising to victory.
The win was Australia’s second in a row, and it moved them up to fourth place in the World Cup table. Pakistan, on the other hand, slipped to fifth place, but they still have a good chance of qualifying for the semifinals.
Australia’s Dominance Continues in ICC World Cup 2023
Australia’s victory over Pakistan was their second in a row, and it further cemented their status as one of the favorites to win the ICC World Cup 2023.
The Aussies have a well-balanced team, with a strong batting lineup, a potent bowling attack, and excellent fielding. They are also led by an experienced captain in Aaron Finch.
Australia’s batting lineup is one of the most feared in the world, with players like Warner, Marsh, Maxwell, and Marnus Labuschagne all capable of scoring big centuries. Their bowling attack is also very strong, with bowlers like Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood all able to take wickets at any stage of the game.
Australia’s fielding is also top-notch, and they have saved many runs on the field in this tournament.
Pakistan, on the other hand, have had a mixed start to the tournament. They have won two games and lost two games, and they are currently sitting in fifth place in the table.
Pakistan’s biggest problem has been their batting. They have failed to bat out their 50 overs in all four of their matches so far. Their bowlers have also been inconsistent, and they have not been able to take wickets at regular intervals.
Pakistan will need to improve their batting and bowling if they want to challenge for the semifinals of the World Cup.
Outlook for the Rest of the Tournament
Australia are the clear favorites to win the ICC World Cup 2023. They have a well-balanced team, and they are in excellent form.
Other teams that are likely to challenge for the title include England, New Zealand, and India. England are the defending champions, and they have a very strong batting lineup. New Zealand are also a very good team, and they are always dangerous in knockout matches. India are a bit of a dark horse, but they have a lot of potential if their batsmen can fire.
It is shaping up to be a very exciting World Cup, and there are several teams that could win it.
ICC World Cup 2023 AUS vs PAK match scorecard
Australia
| RUNS | RR | FOURS | SIXES |
|---|---|---|---|
| 367/9 | 7.34 | 29 | 19 |
| BATSMAN | R | B | 4S | 6S | SR |
| David Warner | 163 | 124 | 14 | 9 | 131.45 |
| c sub Shadab Khan b Haris Rauf | |||||
| Mitchell Marsh | 121 | 108 | 10 | 9 | 112.04 |
| c Usama Mir b Shaheen Afridi | |||||
| Glenn Maxwell | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| c Babar Azam b Shaheen Afridi | |||||
| Steven Smith | 7 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 77.78 |
| c & b Usama Mir | |||||
| Marcus Stoinis | 21 | 24 | 1 | 1 | 87.50 |
| lbw b Shaheen Afridi | |||||
| Josh Inglis (W) | 13 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 144.44 |
| c Mohammad Rizwan b Haris Rauf | |||||
| Marnus Labuschagne | 8 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 66.67 |
| c sub Shadab Khan b Haris Rauf | |||||
| Pat Cummins (C) | 6 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 75.00 |
| not out | |||||
| Mitchell Starc | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 66.67 |
| c Saud Shakeel b Shaheen Afridi | |||||
| Josh Hazlewood | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| c Mohammad Rizwan b Shaheen Afridi | |||||
| Adam Zampa | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
| not out Total: 367/9 in 50 overs | |||||
| BOWLING | O | M | R | W | NB | WD | E/R |
| Shaheen Afridi | 10 | 1 | 54 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 5.40 |
| Hasan Ali | 8 | 0 | 57 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 7.13 |
| Iftikhar Ahmed | 8 | 0 | 37 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4.63 |
| Haris Rauf | 8 | 0 | 83 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 10.38 |
| Usama Mir | 9 | 0 | 82 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 9.11 |
| Mohammad Nawaz | 7 | 0 | 43 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6.14 |
Pakistan
| RUNS | RR | FOURS | SIXES |
| 305/10 | 6.7 | 34 | 6 |
| BATSMAN | R | B | 4S | 6S | SR |
| Abdullah Shafique | 64 | 61 | 7 | 2 | 104.92 |
| c Glenn Maxwell b Marcus Stoinis | |||||
| Imam-ul-Haq | 70 | 71 | 10 | 0 | 98.59 |
| c Mitchell Starc b Marcus Stoinis | |||||
| Babar Azam (C) | 18 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 128.57 |
| c Pat Cummins b Adam Zampa | |||||
| Mohammad Rizwan (W) | 46 | 40 | 5 | 0 | 115.00 |
| lbw b Adam Zampa | |||||
| Saud Shakeel | 30 | 31 | 5 | 0 | 96.77 |
| c Marcus Stoinis b Pat Cummins | |||||
| Iftikhar Ahmed | 26 | 20 | 0 | 3 | 130.00 |
| lbw b Adam Zampa | |||||
| Mohammad Nawaz | 14 | 16 | 0 | 1 | 87.50 |
| st Josh Inglis b Adam Zampa | |||||
| Usama Mir | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| c Mitchell Starc b Josh Hazlewood | |||||
| Shaheen Afridi | 10 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 125.00 |
| c Marnus Labuschagne b Pat Cummins | |||||
| Hasan Ali | 8 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 100.00 |
| c Josh Inglis b Mitchell Starc | |||||
| Haris Rauf | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| not out Total: 305 all out in 45 overs | |||||
| BOWLING | O | M | R | W | NB | WD | E/R |
| Mitchell Starc | 8 | 0 | 65 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 8.13 |
| Josh Hazlewood | 10 | 1 | 37 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3.70 |
| Pat Cummins | 7.3 | 0 | 62 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8.49 |
| Adam Zampa | 10 | 0 | 53 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 5.30 |
| Glenn Maxwell | 5 | 0 | 40 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8.00 |
| Marcus Stoinis | 5 | 0 | 40 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 8.00 |
