In a closely contested first ODI match, Australia clinched victory over Pakistan by 2 wickets at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Monday, November 4, 2024. This game marked Pakistan’s return to ODI cricket after almost a year since their appearance in the 2023 World Cup, and it proved to be a thrilling opener to the three-match series.
After winning the toss, Australian captain Pat Cummins chose to bowl first, putting Pakistan to bat on a challenging MCG pitch. Pakistan managed to post a total of 224 runs, with key contributions from skipper Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam. Despite an early struggle, Australia chased down the target in the 34th over, achieving a hard-fought win with only two wickets to spare.
Pakistan’s Innings: Early Struggles and Late Resistance
Pakistan’s innings got off to a rocky start as opener Abdullah Shafique fell to a fierce delivery from Mitchell Starc, who struck early, leaving Pakistan at 24 for 2. Starc’s disciplined line and pace gave Australia the edge, and wickets continued to fall as Pakistan found themselves in trouble.
The partnership between captain Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam briefly revived Pakistan’s innings. Together, they added 39 runs for the third wicket before Babar’s dismissal for 37 off 44 balls by spinner Adam Zampa in the 18th over. Rizwan continued to anchor the innings, scoring a resilient 44 off 71 balls before Australia’s bowlers resumed their control, causing Pakistan to collapse from a steady position of 117 for 6.
Debutant Muhammad Irfan Khan, batting lower down the order, provided some resistance, sharing a partnership with Shaheen Afridi. In a final effort, Naseem Shah’s late hitting helped Pakistan push their total to a respectable 224 before being bowled out in the 47th over. Starc led Australia’s bowling effort with three crucial wickets, while Cummins and Zampa chipped in with two each.
Australia’s Chase: Early Setbacks and a Steady Recovery
Australia’s chase began with setbacks as their top order crumbled under Pakistan’s fierce bowling. Openers Jake Fraser-McGurk and Matt Short fell within the first four overs, both dismissed with Australia reeling at 28 for 2. However, veteran Steve Smith and wicketkeeper-batsman Josh Inglis mounted a resilient 85-run partnership that steadied the innings, giving Australia the momentum they needed to stay in the game.
Despite a strong spell by Haris Rauf, who claimed three wickets, and Shaheen Afridi’s two key dismissals, Australia’s lower-order batsmen proved challenging to dislodge. Captain Pat Cummins led from the front, scoring an unbeaten 32 runs, guiding his team through a tense finish. Cummins’ calm performance under pressure was crucial as Australia crossed the target in the 34th over, finishing at 225 for 8.
Key Performances
- Mitchell Starc: The left-arm pacer was instrumental with his three-wicket haul, dismantling Pakistan’s top order early and setting the tone for Australia’s bowling.
- Mohammad Rizwan: Pakistan’s captain top-scored with 44 runs, providing stability in a tough inning, but he was unable to convert his start into a match-winning contribution.
- Pat Cummins: Cummins displayed exceptional leadership and resilience, both with the ball and the bat, guiding Australia to a thrilling victory.
- Steve Smith & Josh Inglis: Their partnership of 85 runs was a crucial element of Australia’s innings, helping stabilize after early losses and keeping them on track.
Score Summary
- Pakistan: 224 all out in 47 overs (Mohammad Rizwan 44, Babar Azam 37; Mitchell Starc 3/41, Pat Cummins 2/34, Adam Zampa 2/43)
- Australia: 225/8 in 34 overs (Steve Smith 54, Pat Cummins 32*; Haris Rauf 3/47, Shaheen Afridi 2/39)
Teams’ Playing XI
- Australia: Matt Short, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Steve Smith, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Aaron Hardie, Sean Abbott, Pat Cummins (capt), Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa
- Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (capt), Kamran Ghulam, Agha Salman, Irfan Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain
Looking Ahead
This thrilling opener has set the stage for an exciting series, with Pakistan eager to bounce back and level the series in the upcoming matches. Both teams showcased their strengths and weaknesses, with Australia’s resilience ultimately tipping the balance. As Pakistan refines its strategy, the second ODI promises to be a must-watch encounter.
Afsheen Gohar believes in the power of clear, straightforward writing. Her blog posts tackle everyday topics with relatable insights and easy-to-follow advice. With a conversational style, she makes complex subjects feel understandable. She’s dedicated to sharing knowledge and empowering readers to take action. Find her latest posts on trending in social.
