Australia survived a thrilling encounter in the first ODI against Pakistan, clinching victory by two wickets at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Despite a modest target of 204, Australia’s aggressive approach nearly cost them the match, as they stumbled to 139 for six in the 21st over. Pakistan’s Haris Rauf had a standout spell, breathing life into the contest and threatening to tip the scales in his team’s favor. However, Australian captain Pat Cummins, with an unbeaten 32, guided his side home with 99 balls to spare, securing a hard-fought victory.
Australia’s decision to pursue the target aggressively saw them dominate initially, but their bold shot selection quickly turned problematic. As Rauf’s fast bowling unsettled the middle order, Australia’s lineup faltered, with several key batters falling to risky shots. Rauf, who took three wickets for 67 runs, brought his characteristic energy to the MCG, where he has enjoyed success in past seasons. His rapid dismissals of Marnus Labuschagne and Glenn Maxwell on consecutive deliveries sent waves of excitement through the predominantly Pakistani crowd of 25,831. Though he narrowly missed out on achieving another MCG hat-trick, as he once did in the Big Bash League, Rauf’s performance was instrumental in giving Pakistan a fighting chance.
Australia’s shot-making, however, proved costly. Matt Short, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Josh Inglis, Labuschagne, and Aaron Hardie all fell to shots they would later regret. Inglis, who has started the domestic season well, squandered a solid foundation after reaching 49, while Hardie’s ambitious attempt to clear the offside ended with him bowled for 10 with 25 overs still remaining. For Fraser-McGurk and Short, the match was another opportunity to prove themselves as contenders for the opening position alongside Travis Head, a role still open ahead of the Champions Trophy in Pakistan next year. However, neither player capitalized on the chance to secure their place.
Pakistan’s disciplined approach to bowling played a significant role in the contest, with the team relying solely on four quicks to keep pressure on Australia. Nevertheless, they conceded a costly 21 extras, 17 of which were wides, giving Australia a small but significant advantage during their chase.
Earlier in the day, Mitchell Starc took center stage for Australia by breaking Brett Lee’s record for the fastest 100 ODI wickets on home soil. Starc’s milestone came in his 54th match, eclipsing Lee’s achievement by a single game. His performance set the tone for Australia’s bowling effort, as he swiftly dismissed Pakistan’s openers, Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique. Starc finished with figures of three for 33, an impressive return that included the crucial dismissal of Shaheen Shah Afridi in his 10th over. The left-arm pacer, who holds the fourth-most ODI wickets for Australia behind Glenn McGrath, Lee, and Shane Warne, showed superb control, adjusting well despite a brief break to manage cramp.
Australia rotated eight bowlers after Cummins won the toss, a strategy that saw Adam Zampa as the only other player to take multiple wickets. However, Zampa’s final over proved expensive as Pakistan’s Naseem Shah showcased unexpected power with the bat. Naseem, primarily known for his bowling, smashed 40 off just 31 balls, including four sixes, in a late-innings surge that lifted Pakistan to 203. His exploits in the lower order underscored Australia’s challenges in containing Pakistan’s tail, particularly in the final overs.
Despite Pakistan’s spirited resistance, their batting performance fell short of modern-day ODI standards, with the team struggling to generate momentum. The middle order was held together by Babar Azam, who scored 37, and Mohammad Rizwan, the newly appointed white-ball captain, who added 44. Both players contributed steady but insufficiently aggressive innings, as Pakistan’s run rate remained below par throughout. The team’s approach to the innings appeared outdated, recalling the conservative style more common in the 1990s, rather than the aggressive scoring rates now typical of ODIs.
Off-field issues also loomed over Pakistan’s tour, as the respected white-ball coach Gary Kirsten recently resigned without ever formally assuming his position. This added a layer of uncertainty to a team adjusting to new leadership and trying to reestablish rhythm in their first ODI outing since last year’s World Cup.
The game offered lessons for both sides, with Australia grappling with their shot selection and middle-order stability, while Pakistan reflected on their batting approach and the need for disciplined bowling. Australia’s next challenge will be to manage their aggressive instincts without compromising stability, particularly as they look toward major tournaments in the near future.
