It was an electrifying start to the 3-match ODI series when Australia outplayed Pakistan by 2 wickets in the first match played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Pakistan batted first and was all out for 203 runs in 46.4 overs. Pakistan’s bowlers did not let the game slip out of their hands even after setting a modest target, as excellent spells by them kept the game going. Australia chased down the target in 33.3 overs with 8 wickets still in hand and won a thrilling game.
Australia’s Innings: Jack Fraser-McGurk and Matthew Short opened the innings for Australia’s but could not provide a good start since Short could manage only 1 run while Jack got out scoring 16 runs. At 28/2, their innings looked quite shaky until a very good 85-run partnership between Steve Smith and Josh Inglis steadied the chase for them. Inglis scored 49, while Smith contributed 44 runs before Pakistan regained their momentum through quick wickets.
The star for Pakistan was Haris Rauf, who took three significant wickets that kept the game in his team. He got rid of the big fish, Smith and Marnus Labuschagne and Glenn Maxwell together to bring Australia’s down by 8 wickets only. Yet, these tries helped Australia’s reach the total with two wickets down, and it ended so thrillingly.
Pakistan’s Innings: Earlier, Australian skipper Pat Cummins had won the toss and had elected to field. The batting for Pakistan started quite badly, as Saim Ayub was dismissed for 1 run and then Abdullah Shafique could only score 12. Babar Azam looked a good player, scoring 37 runs, but when spin was introduced, Adam Zampa dismissed him.
Pakistan’s captain Mohammad Rizwan scored 44, while Shaheen Afridi contributed a handy 24, but the innings came to a lacklustre end at 203. Naseem Shah gave some respectability to the total with four sixes and 40 runs off the last over in a late flourish.
Australia’s best bowler was Mitchell Starc with 3 wickets. Pat Cummins and Adam Zampa each took two wickets, while Marnus Labuschagne took one.
Next Matches: The remaining match between Pakistan and Australia is their second ODI that they will play on 8th November. Third on 10th of the same month is to take place. Also, a series of T20 Internationals for these teams are scheduled on November 14 to 18.
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