AI Simulation, AUS-C vs PAK-C | Ben Cutting's outstanding performance guides Australia Champs to beat Pak Champs by four wickets

Pitch and Weather

It was a dry and worn-out surface with patchy grass, which usually helped the bowlers as the game progressed in the latter half.

There were sunny intervals with a gentle breeze, having no threat of any kind of rain interruption during the entire game.

Toss

Pakistan Champions won the toss and decided to bat first.

Lineups

PAK-C XI: Sharjeel Khan, Kamran Akmal (WK), Sohaib Maqsood, Mohammad Hafeez (C), Asif Ali, Shoaib Malik, Imad Wasim, Aamer Yamin, Wahab Riaz, Sohail Khan, Sohail Tanvir.

AUS-C XI: Chris Lynn, Shaun Marsh, D’Arcy Short, Ben Dunk (WK), Dan Christian, Callum Ferguson, Rob Quiney, Ben Cutting, John Hastings, Brett Lee, Peter Siddle. 

Match Report

Pakistan Champions faced an early blow as they lost their first wicket for the score of just 26 runs, when Kamran Akmal (14 off 11 balls) was caught by Ben Dunk off Peter Siddle. Furthermore, Sharjeel Khan (24-ball 30) and Sohaib Maqsood stitched a crucial 44-run partnership for the second wicket, before the former fell prey to Ben Cutting. But then a collapse happened for Pakistan as they lost three wickets within the next 31 runs. Later in the inning, Shoaib Malik and Imad Wasim contributed 22 and 21 runs to help Pakistan Champions post 161/8 in the allotted 20 overs. Ben Cutting, Peter Siddle, and Brett Lee shared six wickets between them to lead the Aussie bowling attack.

While chasing the target, the opening pair of Chris Lynn and Shaun Marsh added 37 runs for the first wicket, before Marsh was dismissed after scoring 22 (18). Lynn stood strong there in the middle, scoring a blistering 45 off just 26 balls, hitting five fours and two sixes. His knock was followed by wicketkeeper-batter Ben Dunk’s 25-ball 36 and Dan Christian’s 18 (14) to help the yellow outfits chase the target easily in 18.2 overs, scoring 165/6. Pakistan Champs skipper Mohammad Hafeez claimed 2/27 in his four overs, alongside the contribution of a wicket each by Wahab Riaz and Imad Wasim.

Player of the Match

Australia Champions’ Ben Cutting won the ‘Player of the Match’ award for his brilliant bowling performance (2/27 in four overs), alongside scoring match-finishing eight runs off just three balls to take his side over the line.

Scorecard