Australia secured a 14-run victory against Pakistan in their final warm-up match before the World Cup. Despite the scoreline, Australia dominated the game, posting a formidable total of 351 and taking early wickets to put Pakistan under pressure.
Winning the toss and choosing to bat, Australia got off to a quick start with David Warner’s brisk 48 off 33 balls. However, Pakistan’s bowlers, particularly Usama Mir and Mohammad Nawaz, staged a fightback, taking wickets and slowing down Australia’s progress in the middle overs.
Toward the end of their innings, Australia unleashed a fierce onslaught with Glenn Maxwell and Josh Inglis, adding 126 runs in the final 12 overs. This late surge included Cameron Green’s unbeaten 50 off the last ball of the innings, as Pakistan’s bowlers struggled to contain the assault, with Mohammad Wasim and Haris Rauf bearing the brunt of the punishment.
In response, Pakistan made a bright start but soon encountered difficulties. Pat Cummins removed Imam-ul-Haq with a beautiful seaming delivery, while Fakhar Zaman and Abdullah Shafique fell while attempting aggressive shots. Marnus Labuschagne, who took three wickets, dismissed Shadab Khan early, leaving Pakistan in a precarious position at 83 for four.
Australia, however, chose to prolong the game, turning to part-time spinners like Labuschagne and Maxwell, along with Steve Smith and David Warner. Their unconventional approach allowed Pakistan to rebuild, with Iftikhar Ahmed and Babar Azam forging a crucial partnership of 144 runs in under 18 overs. Babar Azam played a sublime innings, reaching an unbeaten 90, while Iftikhar’s innings ended when he was caught on the boundary.
As the required run rate climbed, Australia’s frontline bowlers returned, with Cummins dismissing Salman Ali Agha in his first over. Pakistan continued to fight, aided by a half-century from Mohammad Nawaz, but Australia picked up wickets to push Pakistan’s lower order into a difficult position.
With 21 runs needed in the final three overs and just one wicket in hand, Cummins turned to Labuschagne once more. Despite conceding six runs in his first three balls, Labuschagne had Hasan Ali caught by Mitchell Marsh at long-off, sealing a 14-run victory for Australia.
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