PLAYER RATINGS: David Warner shines with classy century but Asif Ali has Taunton nightmare

The Cricketer runs the rule over the individual peformances of both sets of players during Australia's clash with Pakistan in the World Cup

AUSTRALIA

David Warner (107): A masterful century in difficult batting conditions, particularly in the early overs. Eventually perished trying to go big over the offside. 9

Aaron Finch (82 & 1-13): Scratched around in the early overs, looking uncomfortable against the seam, before taking a liking to Hafeez’s offspin. Miscued a drive off Amir. 7.5

Steve Smith (10): Struggled to settle against the spinners and skewed a drive to extra cover after coming down the track to Hafeez. 3

Shaun Marsh (23): One of a host of middle-order batsman to come and go as a platform for 350 shrunk far too quickly. 5

Glenn Maxwell (20 & 0-58): A quickfire contribution but went swinging to a good-length ball from Afridi, which demanded more respect, when big runs were on offer. His offspin got some treatment. A fine run out to end proceedings. 5

Usman Khawaja (18): Dropped down the order to six and then found himself in a role better suited for those who came in the order above him. 4

Alex Carey (20): One excellent grab behind the stumps to see off Malik. A few handy runs with the bat. 6.5

Nathan Coulter-Nile (2 & 1-53): Nicked behind cheaply. Reliable with the ball. 6.5

Pat Cummins (2 & 3-33): Couldn’t contribute with the bat but was superb with the ball, finding dangerous areas and hitting searing speed. 8.5

Mitchell Starc (3 & 2-43): Very difficult for Pakistan to get away throughout, and broke the key partnership of Sarfraz and Wahab. 8

Kane Richardson (1* & 2-62): Not as dangerous or economical as the star bowlers in the Australia side. 6

^{It was a difficult day for Asif Ali}

PAKISTAN

Imam-ul-Haq (53): Saw off the new balls on a tricky surface, built good partnerships with Hafeez and Babar, but was strangled on the hook. 7

Fakhar Zaman (0): His side needed him to show some staying power and not get out early playing an expansive shot. 2

Babar Azam (30): A promising start came to little. Frustrating from a wonderful player to watch. 6

Mohammad Hafeez (46 & 1-60): Once again looked in excellent nick with the bat before picking out deep midwicket from a full toss. Took some treatment from Finch with the bat, going at 8.5 per over. 6

Sarfraz Ahmed (40): Played an anchor role during the lower order revival but couldn't see his team home. 6

Shoaib Malik (0 & 0-26): Filled in with the ball where required. Done off the inside edge without scoring. Slovenly in the field at times. 3

Asif Ali (5): A negligible contribution with the bat and two dropped catches in the field, both very takeable. 2

Hassan Ali (32 & 1-67): Hit and miss with the ball across his 10 overs, though let down by plenty of poor fielding. An enterprising, entertaining knock in a losing cause. 6.5

Mohammad Amir (0 & 5-30): Brilliant at the start of the innings and at the death, getting big movement off the wicket and troubling every Aussie batsman he bowled to. 9

Wahab Riaz (45 & 1-44): Turning into an inspired pick for this tournament, despite results not going quite Pakistan’s way. His teammates did their best to leave him wicketless, but he caused problems throughout his eight overs. Brilliant with the bat. 8.5

Shaheen Afridi (1 & 2-70): Restored to the side, he flitted between fast and furious, and loose and sloppy. 5

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