On Friday, Australian openers David Warner and Mitchell Marsh made brilliant batting efforts against Pakistan at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
Warner and Mitchell Marsh set Australia off to a flying start after being asked to bat first. Both openers smashed superb hundreds, putting the Pakistani bowlers under strain.
The two combined for an awe-inspiring 259-run opening stand, the second-highest in World Cup history. Upul Tharanga and Tillakaratne Dilshan of Sri Lanka hold the record for the highest-ever opening pair partnership in the showcase event.
In the 2011 World Cup, the two Sri Lankan openers put on a 282-run partnership against Zimbabwe at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.
It is worth noting that Warner and Mitchell Marsh nearly missed out on recording Australia’s best ODI partnership in any batting position during the World Cup.
Warner and Steve Smith lead the chart with their 260-run partnership against Afghanistan in the 2015 World Cup.
Mitchell Marsh scores 121 off 108 balls before getting out in the 34th over
Pakistan’s pace spearhead Shaheen Afridi gave his squad a key breakthrough in the 34th over by eliminating the experienced Mitchell Marsh.
The right-handed batsman died while attempting to hit a flip shot off a full delivery. Usama Mir intercepted him at short fine leg after he failed to make the intended connection.
Mitchell Marsh walked back after scoring 121 runs off 108 balls, putting his team in charge. On the following ball, Afridi struck again, sending Glenn Maxwell packing.
Maxwell, who had been promoted to No. 3, had a golden duck. The daring hitter attempted a lofted shot on the first ball he faced, but failed to make the distance as Pakistan skipper Babar Azam took a routine catch at mid-off.
