Pakistan: Pakistan’s performance in ODIs has raised concerns, particularly regarding its bowling unit. Recent matches have seen the bowlers underperform, leaving fans disappointed. In their first warm-up match against New Zealand, Pakistan faced an unexpected loss. Despite winning the toss and choosing to bat, Pakistan’s opening batsmen, Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq, failed to establish a strong start. However, the middle order stepped up, allowing Pakistan to accumulate a total of 345 runs in 50 overs.
Mohammad Rizwan was the standout performer, scoring a century with 103 runs off 94 balls, including nine boundaries and two sixes. Babar Azam also played well, contributing 80 runs from 84 balls, featuring eight boundaries and two sixes. Saud Shakeel’s 75 runs off 53 balls, including five boundaries and four sixes, further bolstered Pakistan’s score. Agha Salman remained unbeaten with 33 runs. However, Pakistan’s bowling unit struggled and allowed New Zealand to chase down the target of 346 runs in 43.4 overs.
🍌Usama Mir was the most successful bowler for Pakistan, taking two wickets in ten overs but conceding 68 runs. Mohammad Wasim Jr., Hasan Ali, and Usama Mir claimed one wicket each, while Haris Rauf and Mohammad N🐷awaz remained wicketless.
Australia: Australia’s performance in the first warm-up match against the Netherlands was far from stellar, and the match itself remained undecided due to rain, resulting in a reduced 23-overs-per-side encounter. Having won the toss and elected to bat, Australia’s batting lineup struggled, managing only 164 runs in 23 overs.
Notably, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Pat Cummins, and Matthew Short failed to perform, with none of them reaching doubl𝐆e figures. It was Steven Smith who emerged as the most successful batsman, contributing 55 runs from 42 balls, including four boundaries and three sixes. Cameron Green also made a decent contribution, scoring 34 runs from 26 balls with four boundaries and a six. Alex Carey added 28 runs to the total, while Mitchell Starc remained not out with 24 runs.
Despite the lackluster performance by their batsmen, Australia’s bowling unit fared well, conceding 84 runs in 14.2 overs when the match was halted. Mitchell Starc was the standout performer, claiming three wickets in three overs while giving away just 18 runs. Sean Abbott also chipped in with one wicket for ten runs in three overs. Marnus Labuschagne secured one wicket but conceded 27 runs in four overs, while Mitchell Marsh contributed with one wicket in 4.2 overs at the cost of 24 runs.