Dhaka – Pakistan speedster Mohammad Amir registered his first five-wicket haul on Wednesday to restrict defending champions Australia to a moderate total of 307 all out despite a century by David Warner (107) in their ICC Cricket World Cup match at the Cooper Associates County ground in Taunton featuring on Wednesday.
Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed won the toss and opted to bowl first. But David Warner and Australia captain Aaron Finch posted 146 runs in the first wicket stand to set up their good command in the match, which is now the highest first wicket partnership in this World Cup so far.
Amir, who ended up taking five wickets for 30 runs in 10 overs, broke the first wicket stand removing Finch for 82.
However, Warner was firm at another end of the wicket. Before Warner reached his 15th ODI hundred in 37th over, Australia lost two more wickets as Steven Smith and Glenn Maxwell were hunted by Mohammad Hafeez and Shaheen Afridi respectively for 10 and 20.
Warner fell for 107 off 111 ball featuring 11 fours and one six. After Warner’s dismissal, Australia added only for 65 runs losing all of their remaining wickets.
Amir took two wickets in his last over scalping Alex Carey and Mitchel Starc for 20 and 3 respectively. Carey was trapped by lbw while Starck skied a catch to long off where Shoaib Malik took a regulation catch.
Eventually, Australia ended with 307 all-out in 49 overs. While Amir took five wickets, Shaheen Afridi bagged two for 70 in 10 overs, and Hasan Ali, Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Hafeez bagged one wicket each.
Pakistan’s last match against Sri Lanka was washed out due to persistent rain. Australia, on the other hand, lost their last match against India.UNB
