Australia triumphed over Pakistan by two wickets in a thrilling first ODI at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Monday. Chasing a modest target of 204 runs set by Pakistan, the Australians faced a tough battle against a fierce bowling attack to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.
The hosts got off to a rocky start. Openers Jake Fraser-McGurk and Matthew Short fell early, leaving Australia at just 28 runs after four overs. However, a strong partnership of 85 runs between Steve Smith and Josh Inglis put the Australians back in control.
Despite Pakistan’s Haris Rauf claiming three wickets and Shaheen Afridi adding two more, Australian captain Pat Cummins stood firm. He scored an unbeaten 32 runs, guiding his team to victory in the 34th over.
Earlier in the match, Pakistan batted first but struggled against Australia’s relentless bowling. They were all out for 203 runs in 47 overs. Mitchell Starc dismissed opening batsman Abdullah Shafique, and Pakistan quickly found themselves at 24-2 in just 6.4 overs.
After a shaky start, captain Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam stabilized the innings with a fighting partnership. They added 39 runs for the third wicket. But the introduction of spin by Cummins turned the tide. Adam Zampa dismissed Babar in the 18th over. Babar scored 37 runs off 44 balls, including four boundaries.
Babar’s wicket triggered a collapse in the middle order. Pakistan lost three more wickets in quick succession, including Rizwan, and fell to 117-6 in 31.4 overs. Rizwan was the top scorer for his side, contributing 44 runs from 71 balls, with two fours and a six.
Debutant Muhammad Irfan Khan then formed a crucial partnership with Shaheen Afridi. They added 31 runs at a brisk pace before Shaheen was dismissed by Starc in the 37th over. Irfan continued to bat well and, alongside Naseem Shah, put together 27 runs for the eighth wicket. Unfortunately, Irfan was run out after scoring 22 runs from 35 deliveries.
Naseem Shah later exploded with the bat. He hit one four and four sixes, finishing with a quick 40 runs off just 39 balls. Starc was the standout bowler for Australia, taking three wickets. Adam Zampa and Cummins both claimed two, while Sean Abbott and Marnus Labuschagne each took one wicket.
Playing XIs:
Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan (c), Salman Ali Agha (vc), Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain.
Australia: Matt Short, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Steve Smith, Josh Inglis (wk), Marnus Labuschagne, Aaron Hardie, Glenn Maxwell, Sean Abbott, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa.
