Bengaluru (PTI): Openers David Warner and Mitchell Marsh struck blazing centuries as Australia scored 367 for 9 in their World Cup match against Pakistan here on Friday.

For Pakistan, pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi grabbed five wickets.

Warner smashed a 124-ball 163, while Marsh scored 121 off 108 deliveries as the two were involved in a 259-run opening partnership that formed the cornerstone of the big total.

However, Australia suffered two blows when Marsh and all-rounder Glenn Maxwell (0) departed one after the other with the score on 259 as Pat Cummins' side suffered a minor setback.

Both the wickets were taken by Afridi, who returned with figures of 5 for 54 in his 10 overs, while Haris Rauf scalped three wickets as Pakistan made some amends in the back end of the innings.

Earlier, Pakistan won the toss and opted to bowl. Australia played an unchanged side while Pakistan brought Usama Mir in place of vice-captain Shadab Khan.

Brief scores:

Australia: 367 for 9 in 50 overs (David Warner 163, Mitchell Marsh 121, Marcus Stoinis 21; Shaheen Shah Afridi 5/54, Haris Rauf 3/83).

 

 

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Lucknow (PTI): The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court on Friday ordered a probe by the special task force (STF) into alleged irregularities in the rejoining of a teacher at City Intermediate College in Barabanki, observing that the reinstatement appeared to be prima facie illegal.

The court also directed the recovery of the salary paid to the teacher during the disputed period.

A bench of Justice Rajeev Singh passed the order on a petition filed by the college management committee. The court expressed doubts over the roles of the District Inspector of Schools (DIOS), Barabanki, the college principal and the teacher concerned and hence, directed a detailed inquiry into the matter.

Taking note of alleged manipulation of records and misleading submissions, the court ordered the immediate transfer of the Barabanki DIOS to ensure a fair probe. It also directed the initiation of disciplinary proceedings against the then joint director of education of the Ayodhya division.

In its order, the court found that the teacher, Abhay Kumar, was initially appointed as an assistant teacher in 2018 but joined an Eklavya Model Residential School in Chhattisgarh as a lecturer in June 2024 without obtaining permission from the management. His subsequent request to retain the lien was rejected.

Despite this, he was allowed to rejoin the Barabanki College in September 2025 on the directions of the joint director of education and the DIOS, and was even paid the salary for October 2025. The court termed the rejoining "wholly illegal" and lacking any legal basis.

The bench also expressed concern over lapses in communication within the education department and directed the Uttar Pradesh chief secretary to ensure that official orders are communicated through email and WhatsApp as well, to prevent disputes.

The matter is next listed for hearing on May 28 when a compliance report is sought.