Pakistan fails to cross mammoth score, defeated by 62 runs

Australia beat Pakistan by 62 runs in the 18th match of Cricket World Cup 2023 in Bengaluru on Friday.

Australia: 367/9
Pakistan: (45.3/50 ov, T:368) 305

Despite having scored a whopping 367/9, Australia were given tough competition by Pakistan, but the men in green fell short by 62 runs.

The win marks Australia's second in the World Cup, after a slow start.

David Warner (163) and Mitchell Marsh (121) shared a record partnership for the first wicket to propel them to a mammoth 367/9 in 50 overs after being put in to bat first.

In response, Pakistan made a watchful start as their openers settled in nicely to stich a century stand. On a belter, Imam-ul-Haq smashed 70 while Abdullah Shafique made 64 in a solid start to the chase.

With Pakistan taking control, Australia introduced Marcus Stoinis in the 22nd over and the allrounder responded by getting rid of both the set openers in his successive overs.

And then Pat Cummins took a stunning catch as legspinner Adam Zampa landed a massive blow with Pakistan losing their captain Babar Azam on 18.

Pakistan won the toss and put Australia in to bat but skipper Babar Azam's hopes of picking up early wickets quickly evaporated when Warner and Marsh went all guns blazing to put on a 259-run opening stand.

Playing XIs

Australia: David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis(w), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Pat Cummins(c), Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.

Pakistan: Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam(c), Mohammad Rizwan(w), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf.