In a high-octane clash at Bengaluru, Australia shut down any fight from Pakistan with David Warner and Mitchell Marsh stitching together a double-century stand batting first.
The match saw scintillating batting performances, near-record-breaking partnerships, and a pivotal moment that changed the course of the game. David Warner's stroke-filled masterclass of 163 runs off 124 balls, supported by Mitch Marsh's blazing 121, propelled Australia to a formidable total of 367.
World Cup 2023 schedule: All fixtures and results
However, it was a moment of fortune for Warner and a crucial drop catch that would haunt Pakistan throughout the match.
From the very start, Warner and Marsh exhibited batting prowess that left cricket enthusiasts in awe. Their opening partnership of 259 runs in just 33.5 overs was a display of sheer dominance.
At the 34-over mark, Australia seemed poised to breach the 400-run mark, a milestone that looked well within their reach. But then, the game took an unexpected turn.
Pakistan's pacers, Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf, initiated a stunning turnaround, taking a combined total of eight wickets in the death overs.
Australia's batting unit, though well-set, couldn't capitalize on the foundation they had laid earlier in the innings. The five-time champions, instead of crossing the 400-run threshold, had to settle for 367.
David Warner reflects on lucky moment
David Warner, reflecting on Australia's missed opportunity, admitted, “We missed a little bit with the bat. We set our platform up very, very well, and we didn't execute as well as we'd like as a batting unit to post what I thought 400 was probably on the cards from where we were.”
Warner's form against Pakistan has been remarkable, with this being his fourth consecutive century across formats against them.
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However, he played down the significance of this streak, emphasizing the importance of adapting to each match. “I don't really look at any stats or which team I have success against or not. It just so happens to be that I've scored four consecutive hundreds,” he humbly stated.
The turning point of the game came early in Warner's innings when he was dropped by Usama Mir on just 10 runs.
Warner's innings would go on to define the match as he accumulated 163 runs, eventually earning him the Player of the Match award.
Pakistan's skipper, Babar Azam, rued the missed opportunity, acknowledging, “And if you drop the catch of someone like Warner, he won't spare you. This is a big scoring ground; the margin of error is very less.”
Babar also praised his bowlers for pulling things back in the latter stages of the match after the initial onslaught.
He admitted that the first 34 overs of bowling and fielding had cost his team dearly. “Whole credit to fast bowlers and spinners for the way we pulled it back in the last few overs,” Babar commented.
Australia overcome the Pakistan challenge in Bengaluru to make it two in two at #CWC23 👊#AUSvPAK 📝: https://t.co/TAoZkxKoHP pic.twitter.com/OdCVA0ldbl
— ICC (@ICC) October 20, 2023
For Pakistan, this loss marked their second consecutive defeat in the tournament, having previously lost to arch-rivals India.
Their road to the semi-finals has become more challenging, with crucial matches against South Africa, New Zealand, and England looming on the horizon.
To secure a spot in the semi-finals, Pakistan will need to win at least two of these matches, in addition to victories against Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
Moments of fortune, like the one Pakistan missed by dropping Warner, can have a profound impact on the outcome of a match.
Where the margin for error is slim, seizing opportunities and capitalizing on opponents' mistakes are crucial for success. Pakistan's loss to Australia serves as a stark reminder of this timeless truth.
