World Cup: Pakistan flatter to deceive as they fall short by 41 runs against Australia

David Warner was not his usual destructive self but effective nevertheless, as his first international century since completing the ball-tampering ban set up Australia's 41-run win over Pakistan in the World Cup at Taunton on Wednesday.

Australia looked set for a total in excess of 350 while Warner and captain Aaron Finch (82) were at the crease, but Mohammad Amir (5/30) staged a grand comeback with his best ODI bowling figures to bowl their opponents out for 307.

Pakistan's innings ended at 266 in 45.4 overs overs but not before the duo of Sarfaraz Ahmed and Wahab Riaz gave the Australians a scare with a rearguard action that revived their hopes for a while.

Pakistan were at one stage tottering at 160 for six in the 30th over.

Riaz smashed 45 off 39 balls with two fours and three sixes, while Sarfaraz made 40 off 48. The side's top-scorer, though, was opener Imam-ul-Haq (53). Mohammad Hafeez contributed 46 while Hasan Ali blazed away to 32 off only 15 balls before Mitchell Starc closed out the game at the death.

"When I got out we had 70 balls to go, as the 'in' batter you want to bat 50 overs. We should have been around 340-50, credit to Pakistan, their second spells were fantastic and made it hard for us to hit down the ground," Warner said at the post-match presentation ceremony.

The dashing left-handed opener struck 107 off 111 balls, with 11 fours and a six.

Earlier, sent into bat, Australia were off to a steady start with Warner and Finch helping them to 50 in 10 overs.

Amir started with a maiden but his effort was not enough as Pakistan suffered their second defeat of the tournament.

Imam-ul-Haq steadied the innings with a 54-run second-wicket with Babar Azam (28) after the early dismissal of Fakhar Zaman.

For Australia, Pat Cummins was the most successful bowler with figures of 3/33 while there two wickets apiece for Mitchell Starc and Kane Richardson.

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