Australia clinched a thrilling two-wicket victory against Pakistan in the first ODI at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Batting first, Pakistan faced difficulty establishing momentum against Australia’s disciplined bowling attack. They were eventually bowled out for a modest total of 203. Skipper Babar Azam (56 off 78 balls) provided stability with a composed half-century, while Naseem Shah added valuable late-order runs. Australia’s Mitchell Starc was exceptional, claiming 3 wickets for just 33 runs, significantly restricting Pakistan’s scoring rate. Josh Hazlewood and Adam Zampa chipped in with two wickets each, further tightening the screws on Pakistan’s batting.
Chasing 204 for victory, Australia encountered several hurdles as Pakistan’s bowlers fought hard to keep the hosts at bay. Haris Rauf spearheaded the Pakistan bowling attack, picking up three crucial wickets, while Shaheen Afridi maintained relentless pressure, scalping two wickets.
At one stage, Australia looked vulnerable at 160/7, but captain Pat Cummins showcased resilience and composure under pressure. Cummins remained unbeaten on 32 runs from 29 balls, steering his team through tense final overs to achieve the target in just 33.3 overs. He received crucial support from the lower order, including a brief yet pivotal innings by Sean Abbott.
This hard-fought win gives Australia the crucial advantage of a 1-0 lead, setting the stage for an exciting remainder of the series. Both teams will regroup and strategize carefully, anticipating another highly competitive encounter in the second ODI.
