Former Indian cricket team opener Aakash Chopra headed to Pakistan after a lack of disciplined bowling and a few missed catches led to the Babar Azam-led side putting Australia in control in their Cricket World Cup 2023 match on Friday. Australian openers David Warner and Mitchell Marsh both hit centuries to forge a brilliant 259-run partnership for the first wicket as Pakistan toiled in the Bangalore heat. Chopra said on social media that the DJ at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore had to play the song ‘Dil Dil Pakistan’ to motivate them.
The comment came in view of comments made by Pakistan team director Mickey Arthur after their loss against India at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Lamenting the lack of support for Pakistan, Arthur also pointed out that ‘Dil Dil Pakistan’, the unofficial anthem for the Pakistan cricket team, was not played enough at the venue during the much-awaited match.
“Koi DJ ko keh kar ‘Dil Dil Pakistan’ bajwa doing at The Chinnaswamy. Pakistan desperately needs a wicket. It’s a flat track but this is quickly heading towards a score of 375+,” he posted on X (formerly called Twitter ).
Koi DJ ko keh kar doing ‘Dil Dil Pakistan’ bajwa at The Chinnaswamy. Pakistan desperately needs a wicket. It is a flat track, but this quickly goes towards a score of 375+. #CWC23 #PakvAus
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 20, 2023
Warner was dropped by Shaheen Shah Afridi’s Usama Mir when he had made just 10.
In a brutal attack, Pakistani fast bowler Haris Rauf conceded 24 runs in one over.
Highest partnerships in World Cups (any wicket)
372 – Chris Gayle & Marlon Samuels (WI) v ZIM, Canberra, 2015
318 – Sourav Ganguly & Rahul Dravid (IND) vs SL, Taunton, 1999
282 – Tillakaratne Dilshan & Upul Tharanga (SL) vs ZIM, Pallekele, 2011
273* – Devon Conway & Rachin Ravindra (NZ) vs ENG, Ahmedabad, 2023
260 – David Warner & Steve Smith (AUS) v AFG, Perth, 2015
259 – Mitchell Marsh & David Warner (AUS) vs PAK, Bengaluru, 2023
Pakistan made one change from the India-beating team, with Mir coming on for fellow leg-spinner Shadab Khan.
Australia are unchanged after their win against Sri Lanka, their first in the tournament after two opening defeats.
Pakistan has two wins and one defeat.
(With AFP inputs)
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