Pakistan must defeat Afghanistan in their next group stage match if they are to advance to the ODI World Cup 2023 semi-finals, according to India star Dinesh Karthik. Karthik stated following Pakistan’s loss to Australia in Bengaluru that Afghans might give a significant challenge on the Chennai ground for Pakistan, who have already lost two consecutive World Cup 2023 matches.
Karthik shares his views about Pakistan
“Pakistan are meeting a boisterous Afghani team. They have upset England and lost their next game, so they will not flying, so to say. Pakistan on the other hand, 2 defeats on the bounce against 2 good teams. If they harbour the ambitions to play the semi-finals, which they could play, they have to beat Afghanistan. Otherwise, it is a no go,” Karthik said on Cricbuzz after the match.
Pakistan’s most recent defeat came at the hands of Australia in the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The game finished with Australia winning by 62 runs owing to a superb performance by Adam Zampa. Zampa claimed four key wickets.
Australia set a difficult target of 367 runs. The highest total ever set by Australia against Pakistan in a World Cup match. This was partly thanks to David Warner and Mitchell Marsh’s dazzling centuries, which put up a mammoth 259-run stand. Warner’s 163 runs and Marsh’s 121 runs exemplified Australia’s ravenous desire for runs.
In response, Pakistan started brightly with a 134-run opening partnership but fell short, being bowled out for 305. The last man out, Shaheen Afridi, was picked up by Australian captain Pat Cummins, who finished his session with figures of 2/62. Despite several strong batting performances, such as Rizwan’s 46 and Saud Shakeel’s 30, Pakistan was unable to meet the required run rate.
In their 108th ODI, Australia recorded their 70th victory over Pakistan. It also moved Australia up to fourth place in the ODI World Cup 2023 points table.
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