Australia vs Pakistan, 18th Match at Bengaluru, World Cup 2023, Oct 20 2023 - Match Result

Another what-could-have been performance from Pakistan. Australia continue their upward surge. The tournament will hit 20 games tomorrow. So, it's hotting up. A few ebbs and flows to go, let's hope there are some close games along the way. For now, it's goodbye from me, Ekanth, my report-writing co-commentator, Danyal Rasool, and our scorers, Chandan Duorah and Ranjith P.

Shalabh: "Historically ODIs have rarely been close contested. Maybe it is perpetual T20 hangover which forces to expect close contest every time."

Pat Cummins, Australia captain: That was great. Pretty tough playing here but good to get a win. Proper from the openers, it set the tone and we want to take the game on like that. The key in ODIs is to carry on. You get one breakthrough and it looks tough for the next guy. Batting for long, like our openers did, was great. Zampa has been awesome. Showed his class, he's a wicket-taker. Babar and Iftikhar were big wickets. We're coming off two wins and have a three or four-day break before the next game. Can take a couple of days off, then get into work. We've set the benchmark in the last two games and gotta keep that going.

Babar Azam, Pakistan captain: First 34 overs in the bowl and field cost us. We dropped Warner and such batters don't spare you. This is a big-scoring ground and we missed our mark. Credit to quicks and spinners for coming back in the last 15, who hit their lengths and the stumps. Message for the batters ahead of the chase was that we can do it. We've done it and the ball comes well under lights. We started well. We got small partnerships but needed big ones in the middle overs while chasing a 350+ score. Honestly, we have to get up to the mark in the first ten overs with ball and partnerships in the middle with bat.

Anjan: "Australia- 19 and Pakistan - 6, the no. of sixes determined the outcome of the match."

Karthik: "My theory about more one-sided or large defeats in this worldcup is due to removal of strike rotation when a wicket falls, this has allowed bowling teams to put pressure on new batsman straightaway."

Aqeel: "Everytime a wicket falls, I keep checking if no-ball is being checked. What's the rule? How de we know if no-ball will be checked?" The third umpire checks it

David Warner, POTM The groin is okay. Just a bit sore, all cramps at the moment. Stand with Marsh with awesome. Once we got the pace of the wicket, we tried to set it up for the incoming batters. Committing and batting my skills was pleasing. Had a good hit yesterday. It helps when you hit it off the middle, and playing on this ground as well. Marsh and I tried to bat till 35 and we thought we could go big in the back half. We need to work on going big at the end though. It's what you do as a team. Every run's valuable. Part of my DNA is running fast between the wickets. Stoinis struck with his bumpers and Cummins also went into the pitch to get the well-set Shakeel and the burgeoning 57-run stand. Pakistan have lost their last five wickets for 36 runs, which is a worrying pattern in a tournament where NRR can play a key role. But it's their bowling that'd probably hurt more.

10:07pm Another game that's not close, although it threatened to be. Imam and Shafique gave Pakistan a great start, with that 134-run opening stand, but Stoinis came in to nip them out. Zampa ensured that the batters in the middle order getting set couldn't go big. In the end, that was the difference: Australia got two hundreds and Pakistan two fifties. Wickets-wise, Zampa getting Babar out on the pull by cramping him for room was striking, as was having Rizwan pinned in front after the batter went across for the sweep.

Mz: "2019 was a very similar match, dropped catches and middle order collapse by Pakistan." Yeah, someone mentioned that earlier comment too I think

Andy C: "Surely Shaheen will get his sensible head on here and try to shepherd 20 off the last 5 rather than slog and get out?" Um...

Krish: "So Australia are slowly getting into the WC mode. Other teams beware!"

Vikram: "Just on cue, Stark strikes."

RC: "credit to Pakistan to reach 300"

Around the wicket

azhar khan: "Pakistan now needs to prioritize safeguarding its net run rate from declining significantly."

Vysakh Vinayan: "Just heard in the comms, Starc has never gone wicketless in a World Cup match! Wow, looks like streak is ending tonight." Could but not yet. He returns now

Kamal: "MotM will go to Warner, but I would love to see it shared with Zampa. "

Graham : "Hard to believe how much better Australia look now than they did in their first 2 games."