Australia made it three scores of over 400 in just five days as they heaped all sorts of misery on a powerless Afghanistan side on day 18 of the Cricket World Cup. In the day’s other match, Pakistan boosted their chances are quarterfinal qualification with comfortable win over UAE in Napier.
Read on for more on the two games.
Day 18 Results
1. Pakistan v UAE
Pakistan’s batsman were under about as much pressure as naughty selector Moin Khan in the lead up to this match. The under-performing batsman had failed to score over 240 in any of their matches prior to batting on the road that is McLean Park – a disappointing return given the ease at which sides have put big scores on the board in this World Cup. Yesterday was different story however, as Ahmed Shehzad, Haris Sohail and Misha-ul-Haq combined to see them through to a much more respectable, and eventually game winning 339.
The total was always going to be too much for the UAE side, even though they have the tournaments leading runscorer in the midsts. Shaiman Anwar scored 62 to take his World Cup tally to 270, but found little support from his colleagues. A cautious approach was taken with emphasis on batting the 50 overs rather than threatening the target.
The win may well ease the tension amongst Pakistan fans, but could also set them up for heartache if they can not carry the form on to the knockout stages. Mohammad Irfan is a concern, he bowled just three overs before leaving the field.
Pakistan 339 for 6 (Shehzad 93, Sohail 70, Misbah 65, Guruge 4-56) beat UAE 210 for 8 (Anwar 62, Afridi 2-35) by 129 runs
2. Australia v Afghanistan
Australia set the record for the highest ever World Cup total in their huge win over Afghanistan in Perth in the day’s second game. Led by breathtaking efforts from David Warner and Glenn Maxwell, the Australians reached new levels of freakishness, and after a stop start campaign thus far, built some important World Cup momentum. With Warner at the crease a team total of 500 was looking possible, and an individual 250 on offer, even with some useful yorkers being fired in at times by the inexperienced Afghanistan bowlers. Warner departed f0r 178, but that just brought Maxwell to the crease who smashed and reversed his way to a brutal 88. Much like AB de Villiers, the Big Show can score all round the park and outlined his credentials as a quality one day international finisher.
He was aptly supported by Steven Smith, who made the most of his promotion to 3 at the expense of Shane Watson with a composed 95.
Starc, Johnson and Hazlewood then took most of the wickets as Australia skittles out their opponents for just 142. A 275 run winning margin – the second biggest winning margin in the history of ODI cricket.
Australia 417 for 6 (Warner 178, Smith 95, Maxwell 88) beat Afghanistan 142 (Mangal 33, Johnson 4-22) by 275 runs
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