HYDERABAD: In the ICC World Cup 2023 warm-up match against Pakistan, Australia’s collective batting effort, highlighted by Glenn Maxwell’s 77, helped them reach a huge total of 351/7.
Australia Beat Pakistan in warm-up Match: As they took the most of the batting-friendly pitch to amass a big score in their final warm-up match before they take on hosts India in the campaign opener on Sunday, Australian hitters demonstrated why their skipper Pat Cummins made the decision to bowl first.
In their quick 83-run partnership, Australia’s opening combination of David Warner and Mitchell Marsh gave their innings a strong start while dominating Pakistan’s bowlers.
Usama Mir stopped things in their tracks by dismissing both of the set hitters in his subsequent overs to signal Pakistan’s return as the Australian openers appeared to be on their way to scoring 100 runs.
While Marsh played a conservative 31-run knock, Warner produced a 33-ball 48 with four boundaries and three sixes.
An essential third-wicket combination between veteran batsmen Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith maintained Australia in control as the scoreboard read 92/2 after 14.1 overs.
Australia slid to 153/4 in the 25th over as Smith (27) and Labuschagne (40) continued the momentum and added 59 runs to the total before they both fell in successive overs.
After two victories, Pakistan’s bowlers appeared poised to make a comeback, but Glenn Maxwell, who was batting at number six, unleashed an incredible counterattack.
The all-rounder scored the highest total for Australia with a 71-ball 77 before succumbing in the 41st over with 255 runs already scored. He hit four boundaries and six sixes on the way there.
Additionally, he and Cameron Green put up a magnificent 83-run partnership. Josh Inglis and Green scored crucial runs for Australia at the end and came back with an undefeated half-century.
Green reached the 50-point mark without being stopped in 40 balls, while Inglis came up just short with 48 points after just 30 shots.
Pakistan’s preferred bowler was Usama Mir, who took 2/31 in his five overs, ahead of Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jr., Shadab Khan, and Mohammad Nawaz, each of whom took one wicket.