A defiant century from David Warner proved the difference as Australia escaped a sticky situation to beat Pakistan in a World Cup match at the Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton on Wednesday.
In a clash that was ultimately far closer than the final 41-run margin would suggest, Australia overcame another batting collapse – this time losing 6 for 30 – and a dogged Pakistan run chase to secure victory.
In a sign of how close the match was, jubilant scenes among the Australian team followed Glenn Maxwell’s brilliant run out of Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed to claim the final wicket.
Maxwell’s match-winning run out
When the Men in Green needed 42 runs to win off the last 27 deliveries, Maxwell stunned everyone by hitting the bull’s eye and helped his side to clean up Pakistan for 266 runs. Shaheen Afridi, who was batting with Sarfaraz at the other end, played the fourth delivery of 46 over towards cover and ran for a quick single thinking the ball would bounce over the fielder, but to his dismay, Maxwell caught it and pulled off a direct hit at the stumps.
Here’s the video:
WATCH: @Gmaxi_32 was 🔛🎯 to end a thoroughly entertaining match in Taunton!
Australia proving too good for Pakistan, prevailing by 41 runs #CmonAussie #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/uMH8fx37ym
— ICC (@ICC) June 12, 2019