David Warner scored his first ODI ton since serving a year-long ban for his involvement in the ball-tampering scandal in Australia’s tense 41-run World Cup victory over Pakistan in Taunton on Wednesday.
Warner, transformed from the man who struggled in last Sunday’s defeat by India, busied his way to 107.
With captain Aaron Finch also scoring 82, Australia should have posted more than their 307 all out, only to lose their last six wickets for 30 runs thanks to Pakistan speedster Mohammad Amir’s maiden five-wicket haul (5 for 30).
Facing a more reachable target than they would have once feared, Pakistan were well placed a༺t 136/2 when their own collapse of 4-24 sucked the life from the chase.
Hassan Ali🥂 smashedඣ 32 runs off 15 deliveries and Wahab Riaz hit 45 off 39 balls to revive their vociferous fans, but after Wahab was given out caught behind on review off Mitchell Starc, Pakistan were bundled out for 266.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Pakistan hasn’t got defeated just by 🐟chance but actually Pakistan deserves it, when their captain is so stupid that he can take one run on the last ball of the over with no wicket balance. Ye captain Nahi, Panwadi Hona Chahiye!
— KRK (@kamaalrkhan)
Pakistan lower order fought well….but the top order and their bowling (except Amir) and catching let them down. Australia has managed to win with four bowlers.
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash)
Good fight Pakistan … good win Australia.. but I feel both Teams can and need to improve … if they want to win this thing. Still along way to go. India and England still the stand out favourites.
— Dean Jones AM (@ProfDeano)
David Warner co🐼nt𓄧inues his rich form against Pakistan!
— betvisa68.com (@CricketTimesHQ)
What bowling from
— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial)
This is Mohammad Amir's FIRST EVER 5-wicket haul in ODI Cricket. Top lad! Proved many critics (including me) wrong.
— Israr Ahmed Hashmi (@IamIsrarHashmi)
Well played, David Warner!
— betvisa68.com (@CricketTimesHQ)
fighting hard !! 🤣🤣🤣🤣
— FightCorona (@Pappu4201)
Sarfaraz Ahmed why would you give strike to a 19 y/o guy who bats at number 11 instead of taking the charge. Poꦡor cricket .
— Vyom (@Vyom_Baba)
Shoaib Akhter waiting to thrash Sarfaraz Ahmed on h𒁏is YouTube channel right now
— Right Arm Over (@RightArmOver_)
Sarfraz: I’ll try my best to save my wicket
Maxwell: Hold my sand paper
— Soban (@sobann404)