Former India player Mohammad Kaif feels Australia registered a huge win against Sri Lanka in their World Cup 2023, claiming that a loss would have virtually knocked them out of the tournament. They bowled out the Lankan for 209 after they opted to bat first in Lucknow on Monday, October 16. Australia then chased down the target with five wickets and almost 15 overs in hand as well.

During an interaction on the Star Sports show ‘Match Point’, Kaif said: “It was a massive win. Everything was at stake. If they had lost, they wouldn’t have reached the knockout or top four. It was a huge match and they needed improvements in every area, whether you talk about fielding, bowling or batting. They got a lot of answers. Pat Cummins gave a breakthrough, captained well, and did a run-out as well. He had to do everything to win this match but they got two points. They won the third match after losing two games, at least they made a start.”

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However, Pat Cummins dismissed both Sri Lankan openers after they had added together a 125-run partnership. He ran out Dunith Wellalage with a direct throw from mid-off apart from using his bowling resources well. And, Mohammad Kaif further opined on about David Warner and Steve Smith failing with the bat once again as well.

“When Warner and Smith’s wickets fell, it seemed like Sri Lanka would probably put more pressure on them. Dilshan Madushanka bowled well there, got the ball to swing. Smith’s wicket was a fantastic ball. It swung late and Smith got hit on the pads. He dismissed Warner before that. It was umpire’s call. Warner felt it was not out and that it was going down the leg side but actually he was so far back within the crease, he got lbw. So the two big names you took didn’t gain anything from this match,” Mohammad Kaif concluded.