Australia emerged victorious against Pakistan with a 14-run win in an exciting World Cup warm-up match. Meanwhile, India’s journey of 3,400 km was in vain as their match against the Netherlands was abandoned due to heavy rain.
Australia showcased their batting prowess by setting a formidable target of 352 runs in 50 overs. Glenn Maxwell was the star performer with an impressive knock of 77 runs off just 71 balls, including four boundaries and six sixes. Cameron Green remained unbeaten on 50, while David Warner and Josh Inglis contributed 48 runs each. Marnus Labuschagne, a late addition to the squad, also played a crucial innings of 40 runs.
Pakistan’s Usama Mir shone with the ball, picking up two important wickets for just 31 runs. However, his spin counterpart Shadab Khan proved to be expensive, conceding 69 runs for one wicket.
In response, Pakistan gave a strong fight but fell short of the target, getting dismissed for 337 runs in the 48th over. Captain Babar Azam played a brilliant innings of unbeaten 90 runs off 59 balls, smashing 11 boundaries and two sixes. Iftikhar Ahmed provided valuable support with 83 runs off 85 deliveries. Mohammad Nawaz also chipped in with 50 runs, but Pakistan couldn’t cross the finish line.
Another warm-up match saw Sri Lanka face Afghanistan in Guwahati. Kusal Mendis stole the show with an astonishing knock of 158 runs off just 87 balls, including 19 fours and nine sixes. However, Afghanistan ultimately clinched a six-wicket victory in a rain-affected match. Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored a magnificent century with 119 runs from 92 balls, while Rahmat Shah contributed 93 runs off 82 balls.
Unfortunately, India’s star players had to travel thousands of kilometers for a warm-up match that got washed out due to rain. This added to their disappointment as their previous match against England was also abandoned due to inclement weather. In total, three warm-up matches were abandoned, and four others were affected by rain, causing frustration among the teams and players.
Nevertheless, the weather forecast for the upcoming matches in Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, and Dharamsala is more favorable, with sunshine expected instead of showers.
The highly anticipated World Cup will commence with the match between England and New Zealand at the Ahmedabad stadium. Pakistan will face the Netherlands in Hyderabad, while Afghanistan and Bangladesh will collide in Dharamsala.