PAK vs AUS: Pakistan lose second match on trot as Australia break into top four of World Cup 2023 points table

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PAK vs AUS: Australia jumped to fourth spot in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 points table after beating Pakistan by 62 runs at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Friday, October 20.

Pakistan chased a record 345-run total against Sri Lanka in their second match of the ongoing World Cup 2023 but since then have now lost two matches in a row.

During one stage of the match Pakistan looked in control of the mammoth 368-run chase but things turned south soon after Marcus Stoinis dismissed Abdullah Shafique (64) to break a 134-run opening stand. He struck again in his next over to get Imam-ul-Haq (70).

Babar Azam was dismissed by Adam Zampa after a brilliant catch from Pat Cummins at mid-wicket. Pakistan were 175/3 in 26.2 overs when Babar departed. A 57-run partnership flourished between Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel for the fourth wicket. Shakeel looked good during his 31-ball stay for 30 runs.

Just when it looked like the pair would take the game away from Australia, Pat Cummins removed Shakeel and Zampa soon took over to pick three more wickets. He first removed a dangerous-looking Iftikhar Ahmed who hit three sixes for his 20-ball 26.

Zampa trapped Iftikhar in front of the stumps and then got rid of Rizwan (46 off 40) to confirm Australia's win. Shaheen Afridi and Hasan Ali hit a couple of boundaries each to take Pakistan past 300. Starc removed Ali to keep his streak of taking at least one wicket in each of his ODI World Cup outings alive. Moments later Cummins picked the wicket of Afridi to wrap up Pakistan innings at 305 in 45.3 overs.

Earlier in the day after being asked to bat first, a record 259-run partnership between David Warner (163) and Mitchell Marsh (121) helped Australia finish at 367/9. The five-time champions were cruising at 259/0 in 33.4 overs but a brilliant Shaheen Afridi five-wicket haul derailed Australia's plan to post a 400-plus total.

Among other Pakistan bowlers, Haris Rauf picked three wickets but leaked 83 runs in eight overs. Usama Mir, who replaced Shadab Khan in the match, picked one wicket for 82 runs in nine overs.