World Cup 2023: Pakistan win toss, choose to field against Australia

David Warner and Mitchell Marsh both made half-centuries as Australia’s opening pair pummelled Pakistan in their World Cup clash at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Friday.

Warner reached his 50 off 39 balls with five fours and three sixes while Marsh made his half-century from 40 balls, hitting eight fours and two sixes.

By the end of the 15th over, the five-time champions had raced to 128-0.

Warner was dropped by Usama Mir off Shaheen Shah Afridi when he had made just 10.

In a brutal assault, Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf conceded 24 runs from one over.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam won the toss and opted to bowl first against Australia in Pakistan’s fourth game.

Leg-spinner Usama Mir replaces Shadab Khan as Pakistan looks to try different combinations, meanwhile, Australia comes out with the same lineup that played against Sri Lanka. The Australian skipper stated that the pacer liked the energy they brought out against Sri Lanka in the field.

Pakistan have two wins and one defeat.

Teams

Australia: Mitchell Marsh, David Warner, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuchagne, Josh Inglis (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Marus Stoinis, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (capt), Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

Pakistan: Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (capt), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Usama Mir, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf

Umpires: Chris Brown (NZL) and Richard Illingworth (ENG)

TV Umpire: Michael Gough (ENG)

Match Referee: Richie Richardson (WIS)