Pakistan is responding well by coming down to bat against the mountain target of 368 runs given by Australia. Pakistan crossed the team’s 100 runs without losing a wicket in 16 overs 4 balls with a pair of half-centuries from the two openers.
Abdullah Shafiq and Imam-ul-Haq, who came in as openers for Pakistan, played carefully from the start. Relying on this pair, Pakistan scored 59 runs in the first power play to complete their team’s half-century in 8 overs 2 balls. And the team took the century in 16 over 5 balls.
In the meantime, Abdullah Shafiq picked up a personal half-century. He scored 50 runs off 52 balls. Out of these 4 hit 5 and hit 2 sixes.
After Abdullah Shafiq, another opener Imam-ul Haq also took half century. He scored 54 runs off 54 balls. Which includes 8 fours.
Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Glenn Maxwell are unable to break this pair. This pair is becoming increasingly dangerous for Australia.
At the time of writing this report, Pakistan’s score is 134 after 21 overs.
Earlier against Pakistan, Australia scored 367 runs in the stipulated 50 overs after losing the toss and batting with the double centuries of the two openers. Now Pakistan is batting with a target of 368 runs to win.
Australia eleventh: David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (wicketkeeper), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa and Josh Hazlewood.
Pakistan eleventh: Abdullah Shafiq, Imam-ul Haque, Babar Azam (captain), Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf.
(20 October/NBW/ES)