Australia Enter Record Books, Pakistan See off UAE and More from Day 19

Australia and Pakistan were both convincing winners on day 19 of the World Cup.

Wednesday's action started in Napier, where Pakistan recorded a 129-run victory over Group B rivals United Arab Emirates.

Ahmed Shehzad made 93 as the 1992 champions amassed 339 for six. It was a total way beyond UAE, though they battled hard to reach 210 for eight in reply.

Australia, meanwhile, created two World Cup records as they put Afghanistan to the sword in Perth. 

The co-hosts smashed their way to 417 for six, the highest team total ever managed in the competition, and then bowled out their opponents for 142.

The 275-run triumph is the biggest margin of victory in the history of the event.

David Warner's 178 also saw him post the highest individual score in a one-day game at the WACA, comfortably beating the 144 not out fellow Australian Damien Martyn made back in 2001.

Delivery of the day

It was a tough day for the Afghanistan bowlers. They may well have been cursing their captain, Mohammad Nabi, for opting to field first after winning the toss.

Yet there was no sign of the carnage to come when Dawlat Zadran and Shapoor Zadran only gave up 30 runs in the opening seven overs.

Paul Kane/Getty Images

Dawlat also picked up the wicket of Aaron Finch in his first spell, setting up the opening batsman perfectly before dismissing him with the final ball of his second over.

Having failed to score off the previous five deliveries, Finch’s eyes lit up when he spotted a full ball from the seamer. However, his desire to attack ended up costing him his wicket.

Some late away movement meant instead of being driven through the covers, the ball took the outside edge. Nawroz Mangal completed the dismissal with a sharp catch at first slip.

An honourable mention should also go to another Afghanistan bowler, Hamid Hassan. Take a look at his superb yorker that cleaned up James Faulkner: 

Catch of the day

Finch may have failed to fire with the bat but he still made a stunning contribution to Australia’s landslide victory.

Fielding at a wide first slip for Mitchell Johnson, Finch flew to his right to cling on to a chance after Mangal had attempted to guide the ball to third man.

It was an impressive take in the air, particularly as he ended up clinging on with just one hand. 

Umar Akmal also deserves a mention in this section. The Pakistan wicketkeeper does not always inspire confidence when he has the gloves on:

"

Someone just dropped Umar Akmal so he can see what it feels like.

— Dennis Does Cricket (@DennisCricket_) March 4, 2015"

"

Umar Akmal's dropped another catch. #PakvsZim pic.twitter.com/rVF863SIW5

— Izza Shah (@IzzaShahPTI) March 1, 2015"

However, Akmal pulled off a fine grab behind the stumps against UAE, diving to his right to take a low catch after Sohail Khan had found the edge of Krishna Chandran's bat.

Shot of the day

Glenn Maxwell hit seven sixes in his whirlwind knock of 88 off 39 balls.

The all-rounder was seemingly on course to break Kevin O'Brien's record for the fastest World Cup century (50 deliveries) until he was caught at cover.

The highlight of his innings came when he hit Shapoor Zadran for a maximum in the 43rd over.

What made the shot so impressive was that it was a reverse flick, played against a pace bowler.

Without moving his feet, Maxwell simply spotted a wide full toss early enough to switch his hands around and steer the ball over the top of the third man fielder inside the circle.

He had played the shot previously, though the first attempt only went for four runs.

"

Maxwell  #Cricket #AUSvAFG #CWC15 https://t.co/PpmrYsfrGg

— Taimoor Zaman (@taimoorza) March 4, 2015"

Stat of the day

Playing it cool in Perth

Thursday at the World Cup 

After missing out on their maiden World Cup win against Afghanistan, Scotland will hope to break their duck when they take on Bangladesh.

The clash at the Saxton Oval in Nelson is also crucial for the Tigers; a win would move them on to five points with games against England and New Zealand to follow.