World Cup 2023: Babar Azam’s 90 in vain as Pakistan lose final warm-up game to Australia

Babar Azam’s 59-ball 90 went in vain as Australia defeated Pakistan in their final warm-up game on Tuesday, October 2.

The match was a thrilling encounter, with Australia emerging victorious by a narrow margin of 14 runs. Australia set a formidable target of 352 runs for Pakistan to chase. Despite a valiant effort from the Pakistani batters, they fell short, managing to score 337 runs in 47.4 overs. This defeat marked the end of Pakistan’s preparation matches ahead of the World Cup, with the team having previously lost to New Zealand by five wickets in another warm-up game.

Pakistan had opted to rest Babar and Mohammad Rizwan for the contest, with Shadab Khan taking over as the skipper for the day. Australia got off to a strong start thanks to David Warner and Mitchell Marsh. The duo scored 83 runs in 12.2 overs, to put Pakistan on the backfoot.

However, the Australian momentum was dented a bit with the score at 172 for five. Glenn Maxwell’s 71-ball 77 and Cameron Green’s fifty ensured the Aussies posted a stiff target for Pakistan to chase.

Pakistan’s run chase was stuttering in the early stages with them being reduced to 83 for four inside 15 overs. However, Babar and Iftikhar Ahmed steadied the ship for Pakistan with a strong partnership to get the innings back on track.

Babar looked to be in sublime form as his innings was laced with 11 boundaries and two sixes before he decided to retire out. Iftikhar would score 83 off 85 deliveries as Pakistan were within touching distance of the target.

Mohammad Nawaz did carry on the momentum and score a well-made fifty but wickets kept tumbling at the other end. Ultimately, the Pakistan innings came to a close at 337 in 47.4 overs.

Pakistan will play the Netherlands on October 6 in their opening match of the World Cup, while Australia will take on India in Chennai, two days later.