MELBOURNE – Australia managed to outclass Pakistan by two wickets in the first ODI of the three-match series, securing a win with 99 balls to spare at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Chasing a target of 204 runs, the Cummins-led squad looked comfortable until Haris Rauf’s rapid triple-strike rattled the middle order, reviving Pakistan’s hopes. Aussie skipper played a crucial role, scoring 32 runs off 31 balls to steer his team to victory alongside Mitchell Starc.
Pakistan struggled to build a competitive total and was bowled out for 203 runs in 46.4 overs. A late surge led by Naseem Shah, who contributed a quick-fire 40 runs off 39 balls, provided some hope for the visitors.
| Team | Top Scorer | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Pakistan | Babar Azam – 37 (44) | Mitchell Starc – 3/33 (10 overs) |
| Mohammad Rizwan – 44 (71) | Pat Cummins – 2/39 (9.4 overs) | |
| Naseem Shah – 40 (39) | Adam Zampa – 2/64 (10 overs) | |
| Australia | Josh Inglis – 49 (42) | Haris Rauf – 3/67 (9 overs) |
| Steve Smith – 44 (46) | Shaheen Afridi – 2/43 (10 overs) | |
| Pat Cummins – 32 (31) | Naseem Shah – 1/39 (7.2 overs) |
The hosts disciplined bowling attack, led by Cummins and Adam Zampa — who each took two wickets — limited Pakistan’s scoring opportunities.
After the game, Steve Smith highlighted challenges posed by the pitch, particularly the variable bounce that complicated shot selection. With this victory, Australia takes a 1-0 lead in the series, while Pakistan will aim to bounce back in the next match.
The first game showcased Australia’s bowling prowess and resilience in chasing down a modest target, setting the stage for an exciting series ahead.
