melbournePat Cummins' unbeaten inning of 32 runs off 31 balls helped Australia register a thrilling twowicket win against Pakistan in the first ODI at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Monday.
Australia defeated Pakistan by two wickets in the first ODI. With this the team has taken a 10 lead in the threematch series.
Australia won the toss and decided to bowl first. Pakistan team was all out for 203 runs in 46.4 overs. In reply, the Australian team achieved the target by losing 8 wickets in 33.3 overs.
For Australia, Mitchell Starc took three wickets for 33 runs in 10 overs. He was also selected as 'Player of the Match'. Adam Zampa and Cummins took two wickets each.
For Pakistan, Kamran Ghulam (5) and Salman Aga (12) failed to impress in the middle order and Pakistan's position deteriorated significantly in the match. Rizwan (44) also failed to convert his good start into a big innings and missed the halfcentury. He was dismissed by Marnus Labuschagne in the 32nd over.
Irfan Khan (22), Shaheen Shah Afridi (24) and Naseem Shah (40) added important runs in the lower order and took the team to 203 runs. The entire Pakistan team collapsed in 46.4 overs.
Naseem hit four sixes and one four in 39 balls while Shaheen hit three fours and one six in his innings of 24 runs.
Wicketkeeperbatsman Josh Inglis missed a halfcentury for Australia while chasing the target of 204 runs. He scored the maximum 49 runs for the team. Apart from him, Steve Smith scored 44 runs. Captain Pat Cummins played an unbeaten inning of 32 runs on 31 balls.
The second ODI between the two teams will be played in Adelaide on 8 November. Pakistan team will also play a threematch T20 series on this Australia tour.
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Image Credit: KhasKhabar.