In a thrilling practice match ahead of the World Cup Cricket 2023, Australia defeated Pakistan by 14 runs. The match was played on Indian soil, and Pakistan fought valiantly against a challenging target of 352 runs.
They managed to score 337 all out, thanks to half-centuries from Babar Azam, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Muhammad Nawaz.
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Babar Azam, who was the top scorer for Pakistan, made 90 runs in just 59 balls. Australia, on the other hand, successfully fine-tuned their strategies, particularly in terms of bowling. Labuschagne, Smith, Warner, and Maxwell played prominent roles in the middle overs.
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The Australian batters also gained important batting practice, given the previous washouts of practice games. They appreciated the opportunity to play a complete match.
While Pakistan’s top-order struggled, leading to Babar Azam’s early appearance on the field, Iftikhar provided a bright spot with his batting performance. Pakistan displayed some flaws, but they are expected to be formidable contenders in the upcoming World Cup.
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This match marked the conclusion of the practice games, ensuring that both teams explored various combinations to finalize their preparations for the World Cup. It was a beneficial exercise for Australia and Pakistan, allowing them to identify areas of improvement and sharpen their skills before the tournament begins.
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