Australia Secures 14-Run Victory Over Pakistan in World Cup Warm-up Match
Australia sent a strong message of readiness for the World Cup as they defeated Pakistan by 14 runs in a warm-up match held at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium.
Despite allowing fans to attend the match after the initial game between Pakistan and New Zealand was played behind closed doors, the turnout remained low.
Australia batted first, with Glenn Maxwell (77) and Cameron Green (50 not out) both scoring half-centuries to propel their team to a formidable total of 351 for 7. Australian openers David Warner (48) and Mitchel Marsh (31) got off to a smooth start, forming an 83-run partnership for the first wicket.
To disrupt their flow, Pakistan’s captain Shadab Khan brought in Usman Mir (2 for 31), who dismissed Warner and Marsh in quick succession. Marnus Labuschagne contributed a crucial 40 runs off 31 balls before being caught by wicket-keeper Mohammad Haris off Mohammad Nawaz’s bowling.
Maxwell’s 71-ball innings included four boundaries and sixes, but he was eventually dismissed by Shadab (1 for 69). Green then anchored the innings with his excellent performance, while Josh Inglis (48) shared an 83-run partnership for the seventh wicket. Inglis fell in the 49th over to Mohammad Wasim (1 for 69), but Green’s two boundaries in the final over helped Australia cross the 350-run mark.
In response, Pakistan faced early setbacks, losing openers Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq within the first seven overs, leaving them at 49 for 2 after 10 overs. Despite favorable batting conditions, Australia’s bowlers kept the Pakistan top order in check. The first six of the innings came from Shadab’s bat at 14.5 overs, but he was dismissed immediately after.
Iftikhar Ahmed scored 83 off 85 balls with six fours and four sixes, while Babar Azam contributed a quickfire 90 off 59 balls, featuring 11 boundaries and two sixes. Their 144-run partnership for the fifth wicket put Pakistan back on track, but Babar retired hurt when his team reached 255 for 5. Mohammad Nawaz added 50 runs in 42 balls with six fours and one six, but their efforts ultimately fell short. Marnus Labuschagne took three wickets, conceding 78 runs.
David Warner, the former Sunrisers Hyderabad captain, delighted fans with his dance moves during the match as he grooved to the Telugu movie song “Butta Bomma” while fielding near the boundary in the second innings. Fans in the front rows cheered his dance with enthusiasm.
Match Summary: Australia scored 351/7 in 50 overs (Glenn Maxwell 77, Cameron Green 50 not out, Josh Inglis 48, David Warner 48; Usama Mir 2/31) against Pakistan, who managed 337 in 47.4 overs (Babar Azam retired hurt 90, Iftikhar Ahmed 83, Mohammad Nawaz 50; Marnus Labuschagne 3/78, Pat Cummins 2/34, Mitchell Marsh 2/43).
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