HYDERABAD: A combined batting effort, led by Glenn Maxwell’s 77 propelled Australia to a massive total of 351/7 in the ICC World Cup 2023 warm-up fixture against Pakistan.

Australian batters justified the decision of their captain Pat Cummins to bowl first as they made the most of the batting-friendly pitch to pile up a massive total in their last warm-up fixture before they take on hosts India in the campaign opener yesterday.

Australia’s opening pair of David Warner and Mitchell Marsh scripted a solid start to their innings as they dominated the Pakistan bowlers amid their brisk 83-run partnership.

Australian openers appeared to be heading towards the 100-run mark before Usama Mir pulled things back as he removed both set batters in his successive overs to mark Pakistan’s comeback.

Warner scored a 33-ball 48, hitting four boundaries and three sixes while Marsh played a cautious 31-run knock. With the scoreboard reading 92/2 in 14.1 overs, experienced batter Steve Smith joined forces with Marnus Labuschagne and the duo kept Australia in command with a vital third-wicket partnership.

Smith (27) and Labuschagne (40) carried the momentum and added 59 runs to the total before they both fell in consecutive overs as Australia slipped to 153/4 in the 25th over. Pakistan bowlers were looking confident to make a comeback after back-to-back success but Glenn Maxwell, coming out to at number six, launched an astounding counterattack.

The all-rounder smashed four boundaries and six sixes on his way to top score for Australia with a 71-ball 77 before finally perishing in the 41st over with 255 runs on the board.

He also stitched a magnificent 83-run partnership with Cameron Green, who, alongside Josh Inglis, added vital runs for Australia at the backend and returned with an unbeaten half-century.

Green scored 50 not out in 40 balls while Inglis fell just shy of his half-century as he scored 48 off just 30 deliveries.

Usama Mir was the pick among the bowlers for Pakistan, claiming 2/31 in his five while Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz picked one each.

Published in The Daily National Courier, October, 04 2023

Like Business on Facebook, follow @DailyNCourier on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.