Australia beat Pakistan by 41 runs in a nail-biting finish at Taunton on Wednesday in the 17th match of the World Cup.
David Warner, who hit his first international century following his return from a ball-tampering ban, was named Man of the Match.
Pakistan won the toss in overcast conditions and put Australia in to bat first. The defending champions were dismissed for 307 in 39 overs.
They bowled Pakistan out for 266 in 45.4 overs. The green shirts were left floundering after the rapid fall of bottom-order wickets.
Left-arm quick Mohammad Amir took a career-best five for 30 in the Australia innings, becoming the highest wicket-taker in the tournament so far.
Australia innings
Australia looked set for a huge total in Taunton while David Warner and captain Aaron Finch (82) shared a first-wicket stand of 146 ? the highest partnership for any wicket at this World Cup to date.
But Amir dragged Pakistan back into the game, returning figures that surpassed his previous best of 4-28 and are the best in the World Cup so far.
Warner posted his first international century since returning from a 12-month ban before Pakistan rallied to dismiss the defending World Cup champions for 307.
“I think I left a few (runs) out there,” Warner admitted during the break between innings. “The second spell from Mohammad Amir was fantastic. We have got to come out and bowl Test match line and length and be very disciplined.”
Both Warner and Steve Smith ? also returning from a year-long ban for ball-tampering ? had been jeered by fans in previous games but Pakistani fans largely heeded an appeal from captain Sarfaraz Ahmed not to boo the pair, preferring to roar chants of “Amir!, Amir!”.
Amir was on target right from the start with a probing maiden ? one of two in an initial four-over spell that cost a mere 11 runs.
The left-armer’s outstanding attack saw him pick up a career-best five-wicket haul in ODIs. According to cricket statistician Mazher Arshad, Amir’s 5-30 are the best bowling figures for Pakistan in a World Cup match against a Test playing team.
