PAK vs AUS: Selfless Babar Azam act helps Australia beat Pakistan by 14 runs in Hyderabad warm-up match

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Pakistan lost their second and last warm up match ahead of the World Cup 2023 against Australia by 14 runs at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Tuesday, October 3.

However, the result could have been different if not for the selfless act from Pakistan captain Babar Azam after coming to bat in at six. Chasing a 252-run target, Pakistan were cruising at 255/5, when Babar Azam retired himself out for 90 off 59 to give Agha Salman an opportunity to bat.

Babar Azam had already hit 11 fours and two sixes and the momentum with the Men in Green made it look like Pakistan will chase down the target within the stipulated 50 overs.

However, Agha Salman could score only 10 runs off nine balls before he edged a Pat Cummins delivery into the gloves of Alex Carey. Mohammad Nawaz and Saud Shakeel, who starred against New Zealand in the first warm-up game, did not turn up to bat.

Mohammad Nawaz scored 50 from 42 balls and Mohammad Rizwan did not bat as Pakistan failed to cross the line, losing both their warm-up matches in the lead up to the World Cup 2023.

But leg-spinner Usama Mir picking two wickets for 31 runs in five overs and Iftikhar Ahmed scoring 83 off 85 while batting at number four emerged as major positives for Pakistan.

There were a few issues which Pakistan would have wanted to solve before entering the main event. Fakhar Zaman could again not score big. Imam-ul-Haq also got out for 16. Abdullah Shafique, who opened in the first match, walked in at three but could score only 12 off 16 balls. On the bowling front, Haris Rauf and Mohammad Wasim Jr leaked 97 (9 overs) and 63 runs (8 overs) for a wicket each.

Earlier, Australia opted to bat first and posted 351/7 in 50 overs on the board. David Warner scored 48 runs from 44 balls before Glenn Maxwell (77 off 71), Cameron Green (50* off 40) and Josh Inglis (48 off 30) gave the five-time champions a strong finish.

Among other Australia batters, Mitchell Marsh scored 31, Steve Smith 27, Marnus Labuschagne 40 and Alex Carey 11. Shaheen Afridi and Hasan could not pick any wicket after bowling six overs each but gave away 25 and 23 runs respectively.