Two former winners of the Cricket ICC World Cup made serene progress against two of the Associate nations as the competition for qualifying places intensifies.

Australia were much too good for Afghanistan, winning by a colossal 275 runs in Perth, whilst in Napier Pakistan overcame the plucky challenge of the United Arab Emirates to win by a margin of 129 runs.

David Warner led the way for the 4-time winners as Australia rattled up 417-6 in their match, the highest World Cup total of all-time.

The left-hander scored a massive 178, making his runs from 133 deliveries (19x4 5x6). He missed out on a double century, which should have been his for the taking, by hoisting the ball high into the off side with more than 12 overs of the innings still remaining.

Warner had shared in an Australian record stand of 260 with Steve Smith, who scored 95 from 98 balls, setting the platform for a vicious assault from Glenn Maxwell.

Hitting top gear immediately, Maxwell raced to 50 from just 21 balls (5x4 4x6) with an array of explosive and innovative shots. Kevin O’Brien’s fastest-ever ODI century (50 balls) was under threat but a fierce drive to cover ended his stay of 88 from just 39 balls (6x4 7x6).

Faced with such a daunting total, the Afghans struggled against the express pace of the left-arm quicks and were bowled out for only 142 in 37.3 overs. Mitchell Johnson took 4-22 and Mitchell Starc grabbed 2-18.

Australia’s win lifts them up to third in Pool A, just behind Sri Lanka, who they meet on Sunday at the SCG.

Afghanistan will also be in action on the same day, when they face New Zealand in Napier.

In the days other contest Ahmed Shahzad collected the Player of the Match Award for an innings of 93, as Pakistan totalled 339-6 after being put in by UAE.

The opener made his runs from 105 balls (8x4 1x6) and shared in a second-wicket stand of 160 with Haris Sohail, who scored 70.

Misbah-ul-Haq continued his fine recent form, in adding 65 and there were also useful runs for Sohaib Maqsood, who scored 45, and Shahid Afridi, 21 not out from only 7 balls.

There was even time for Wahab Riaz to hit his only delivery over the ropes for six.

Manjula Guruge was the pick of the UAE attack and thoroughly deserved his figures of 4-56.

At 25-3 the UAE were never likely to threaten a victory target in excess of 300 but they acquitted themselves well enough by batting through the full 50 overs to reach 210-8.

Shaiman Anwar followed scores of 67, 106 and 35 by making another useful contribution. The 35-year old has been one of the real stars of this tournament and again impressed, scoring 62 from 88 balls, with 4 boundaries and 2 sixes.

Wahab, Afridi and Sohail Khan each picked up 2 wickets for the 1992 champions, who appear to be just finding their best form at the right time. 

Pakistan have now recovered from losing their first two matches in Pool B to reach 4 points from 4 matches and complete their schedule with fixtures against South Africa in Auckland on Saturday and then Ireland in Adelaide.

The UAE, who have Nottinghamshire’s Paul Franks amongst their coaching staff, have lost their four matches and still have to play South Africa and West Indies.