Pakistan beat Australia by five wickets in first ODI

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan opened their one-day international series against Australia with a five-wicket win in Rawalpindi on Saturday, as spinner Arafat Minhas claimed a five-wicket haul on ODI debut and helped bowl the visitors out for 200.

The result came in Pakistan’s 1,000th ODI. Chasing 201, the home side reached the target in 42.3 overs after Australia were dismissed in 44.1 overs on a dry Pindi Stadium surface that offered assistance to spin.

Minhas returned figures of 5-32 to become the first home bowler to take five wickets on ODI debut. Pakistan’s spinners accounted for eight wickets overall, with Abrar also playing a key role and finishing with 2-44.

Pakistan chase anchored by Babar and Ghazi

Pakistan’s reply was shaped by Babar Azam’s 69 from 94 balls and Ghazi Ghori’s 65 off 92 deliveries after the side lost Sahibzada Farhan for 28 and Maaz Sadaqat for eight with the score on 49.

Azam and Ghori then added 127 runs for the third wicket to put Pakistan in control. Azam struck four boundaries and one six, while Ghori hit eight fours during his innings. Both batters were later dismissed by pacer Nathan Ellis, but Pakistan needed only 16 more runs at that stage.

Minhas then sealed the win by hitting a six.

Australia struggle against spin

Australia, who were sent in to bat, were without several frontline players including regular captain Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and opener Travis Head.

Despite that, Matthew Short made 55 from 76 balls and Matthew Renshaw struck a career-best 61 off 63 deliveries. The pair were Australia’s main contributors as Pakistan’s slower bowlers kept taking wickets at regular intervals.

Abrar broke the opening stand of 34 by removing Alex Carey for 19. Minhas then put Australia under pressure by dismissing stand-in captain Josh Inglis for 13 and Marnus Labuschagne for nought in his fourth over before removing Cameron Green for a third-ball duck in his next over.

Australia slipped to 68-4 before Short and Renshaw added 55 runs for the fifth wicket. Minhas ended that stand by having Short stumped, while Abrar returned in his second spell to dismiss Renshaw. Minhas completed his five-wicket haul when Nathan Ellis fell for eight.

Short’s innings included six boundaries and brought him his fourth ODI half-century, while Renshaw hit five fours and a six. The remaining two matches of the series will be played in Lahore on Tuesday and Thursday.