MELBOURNE, 4 November, 2024: Australia defeated visitors Pakistan by two wickets, with 99 balls to spare, in the first ODI (50 overs) at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) today. There were more Pakistani fans on the bright day, with the final attendance being 25, 831.
Australia chased Pakistan’s 203 (10 wickets down in 46.4 overs), with the target of 204 , Hardie and Cummins led their side to victory. Earlier, there were tense moments as Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha tried to revive Pakistan’s hopes with their batting, but failed to ignite the spark, though pushed the score to a competitive level.
ANI adds:
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Cummins said, “Tonight we got it done, always much prefer sitting in the changing room. Wonderful match but got a bit tighter than we would have liked. Really happy with the way the guys bowled, Starcy was terrific at the top and the others bowled really well. Trying to keep it interesting (on trying eight bowlers), Marnus (Labuschagne) is always in my ear so he had to have an over, he got one wicket. With this being an ODI and with the conditions, got plenty of allrounders, might as well use them. For three-quarters we were really good, try and find some partnerships, looking to play aggressively and sometimes it may not work, but think still room to try and find a couple of partnerships.”
Australia won the toss and opted to bowl first. Pakistan lost wickets at regular intervals, with skipper Mohammed Rizwan (44 in 71 balls, with two fours and a six) and Babar Azam (37 in 44 balls, with four boundaries) scoring runs among recognised batters. Naseem Shah (40 in 39 balls, with one four and four sixes) and Shaheen Afridi (24 in 19 balls, with three fours and a six) put up a fight as well, taking the side to 203/10 in 46.4 overs.
Starc (3/33) was the pick of the bowlers for Australia. Cummins also took 2/39 in 9.4 overs. Adam Zampa was also impressive, taking 2/64 in his 10 overs.
In the run-chase of 204 runs, Australia was two down at 28 runs. An 85-run partnership between Steve Smith (44 in 46 balls, with six fours) and Josh Inglis (49 in 42 balls, with six fours and three sixes) guided Aussies out of trouble. But Pakistani bowlers once again made a comeback, reducing Australia to 185/8. However, skipper Cummins (32* in 31 balls, with four boundaries) took Australia tovictory with over 16 overs to spare.
Starc took home the ‘Player of the Match’ for his spell and Australia is 1-0 up in the series.
Scores – PAKISTAN 203 in 46.4 over; AUSTRALIA 204 in 33.3 overs;; Australia won by 2 wickets.
Australian ODI Squad:
Cummins (C), Smith, Starc, Hazelwood, Maxwell, Abbott, Connolly, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Hardie, Inglis, Labuschagne, Short, Stoinis, Zampa. Pakistan ODI Squad: Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Agha, Irfan Niazi, Arafat Minhas, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf.
