Australia win by 41 runs, but don’t be fooled by the scoreline – this was a thriller! Pakistan were out of it at 160/6, only for Wahab Riaz’s heroic 45 to drag them close. But in the end, Australia just held on.
Maiden international century by David Warner since completing a ball-tampering ban as Australia returned to winning ways at the World Cup with a 41-run victory over Pakistan at Taunton on Wednesday.
Warner made 107 and, with Australia captain Aaron Finch (82), got the defending champions off to a flying start with an opening stand of 146 — the highest partnership for any wicket at this World Cup to date.
Mohammad Amir dragged Pakistan back into the game with career-best figures of five for 30 in 10 overs but Australia still managed to post a challenging score of 307, which ultimately proved beyond their opponents.
Watch all of Australia's best shots, led by a magnificent ? by @davidwarner31 and 82 by #AaronFinch which included four sixes!#CmonAussie #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/1vubHTPAzP
— ICC (@ICC) June 12, 2019
“It means a lot to a batter to get a century,” said man-of-the-match Warner. “It was a great effort from Pakistan in the end but our bowlers bowled excellent. They probably got closer than we expected.”
Pakistan, after a middle-order collapse that saw them lose three wickets for 11 runs in 15 balls, were all but beaten at 200 for seven in the 34th over.
But captain Sarfaraz Ahmed (40) and the big-hitting Wahab Riaz (45) gave them renewed hope with a stand of 64.
Australia, who lost to India on Sunday, were again looking to Mitchell Starc to get them out of a tight spot, as had done in an earlier win over the West Indies and the fast bowler duly delivered with 2-43.
Australia win by 41 runs, but don't be fooled by the scoreline – this was a thriller!
Pakistan were out of it at 160/6, only for Wahab Riaz's heroic 45 to drag them close. But in the end, Australia just held on.
What a game!#CWC19 pic.twitter.com/PUoV6TPIKY
— ICC (@ICC) June 12, 2019
