Australia secured a convincing victory in the first One Day International (ODI) against Pakistan, played on Monday at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The home side triumphed with a disciplined bowling performance, dismissing Pakistan for 205 runs.
Josh Inglis was the standout performer for Australia, scoring a brisk 49 runs, while pacer Haris Rauf shone for Pakistan, taking three crucial wickets as the green shirts mounted a spirited fightback.
Newly appointed captain Mohammad Rizwan top-scored for Pakistan with 44 runs but faced relentless pressure from Australia’s bowlers, leading to the visitors being all out in the 47th over.
Australia’s bowling attack, spearheaded by Mitchell Starc, was dominant from the start. Starc struck early, dismissing Saim Ayub for a duck in the third over, as the batsman misjudged a rising delivery that hit his stumps. The subdued crowd at the MCG witnessed the arrival of former captain Babar Azam, who had stepped down just last month, as he looked to stabilize the innings.
Azam managed to score 37 runs before falling to spinner Adam Zampa, who broke a promising partnership between Azam and Rizwan, which had added 39 runs. Pakistan’s struggles continued as Kamran Ghulam fell cheaply, caught behind off a bouncer from Pat Cummins, leaving Pakistan reeling at 70 for 4.
Rizwan played patiently, eventually hitting the first six of the day off Starc, but the wickets continued to tumble around him. Agha Salman was dismissed for 12 by Sean Abbott, followed by Rizwan’s departure after attempting a risky sweep off part-time spinner Marnus Labuschagne, leading to his catch by Inglis.
Shaheen Shah Afridi provided a brief entertainment with a quick 24 runs before Starc struck again, dismantling his stumps. However, a late flurry from the tailenders, including a noteworthy 40 from Naseem Shah, who struck four sixes, helped Pakistan surpass the 200-run mark.
Australia captain Pat Cummins won the toss and opted to bowl first, a decision that paid off as his bowlers exploited the overcast conditions. With Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head on paternity leave, Australia showcased a new opening partnership of Jake Fraser-McGurk and Matt Short, while veteran Josh Hazlewood was rested.
This match marked Pakistan’s return to ODI cricket since last year’s World Cup, with Rizwan taking over captaincy duties after Babar Azam’s resignation. Irfan Khan made his debut in the middle order, and with Shaheen Shah Afridi leading the fast-bowling attack, the visitors aimed to make a strong impression under the guidance of Test coach Jason Gillespie.
The teams will now look forward to the next two matches in the series, with Australia leading the three-match ODI series 1-0.
Teams:
- Australia: Matt Short, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Steve Smith, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Aaron Hardie, Sean Abbott, Pat Cummins (capt), Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa
- Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (capt), Kamran Ghulam, Agha Salman, Irfan Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain
Umpires: Chris Brown (NZL), Sam Nogajski (AUS)
TV Umpire: Chris Gaffaney (NZL)
Match Referee: Dave Gilbert (AUS)
