ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023’s Warm-up match between Pakistan and Australia is being played today at Hyderabad. Earlier in the day, Pat Cummins tried his batters to open their shoulders after winning the coin-battle against Pakistani bowlers and his crew set a huge total of 351/7 in 50 overs. Maxwell, Warner and Green were the men to watch who lifted Australia to the driving seat with this might scorecard..
They put runs on the board and offered Pakistan to chase that down but not quite easily. Two left-arm Pakistani openers: Imam ul Haq and Fakhar Zaman came into the middle in the run chase. On the other hand, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins open the bowling for Australia after posting big total.
As usual, Pakistani openers couldn’t control their nerves and ended up giving away their wickets. Pakistan scored 59 for 2 in their first power play. While Cummins and Maxwell getting one wicket each.
The start of the 2nd power play was either not handsome for PCT. Abdullah Shafique and Shadab got out early in the chase. Babar Azam who was rested for the match couldn’t resist himself spending some time in the middle with Iftikhar.
Pakistan posted 100 runs on scorecard in 20 overs at RR of 5 with Babar and Iftikhar on crease. Both batters took their time to follow the chase under light. They took Pakistan from 83/4 in 15 overs to 227/5 in 32 overs when, Iftikhar misread the length ball and ended in falling on Labuschagne’s ball. He made 83 off 85 with six 4s and four 6s.
Meanwhile, Babar got retired hurt at 255 after scoring 90 off 59 with handsome strike rate of 152. In brief, Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed were the top performers from Pakistan side and Labuschagne picking 2 wickets.
Pakistan required another 75 in the final 10 with 4 wickets in hand. Usama Mir came added 15 to the total but got out on 301 in the 42nd over of the match. Pakistan were 300 up too requiring 50 in last 8 overs with 3 wickets in hand. Hassan replaced Usama who continued the sail slowly to go past the chase.
Nawaz led the team after Babar and reached his half century in 41 deliveries. Asusual when Pakistani batter got settled they giveaway their wickets and this happened this time too when Nawaz got out on 50 off 42 in the 46th over. Pakistan required another 26 on 24 deliveries with final pair on crease.
Wasim Jr. was the last man to bat with Hassan as Babar got retired out. They neede only 21 in the final 3 overs but couldn’t complete the task and got out at long on. Pakistan lost by 14 runs with Labuschagne picking the final wicket of Hassan Ali.
