Australia vs Pakistan 1st ODI: Pat Cummins Leads Australia to Thrilling Two-Wicket Victory

Morning News UK

2 months ago

Pat Cummins played a crucial knock to see Australia over the line ©Getty

Australia vs Pakistan 1st ODI – Pat Cummins shines as Australia secures a thrilling two-wicket win. Despite a fierce comeback from Haris Rauf, Cummins’ calm finish sees Australia chase down 204 in an intense match.

Australia vs Pakistan 1st ODI: Cummins Seals Nerve-Wracking Win as Australia Edge Pakistan by Two Wickets

Australia marked their return to ODI cricket in thrilling style with a two-wicket victory over Pakistan, thanks to an outstanding all-round performance from skipper Pat Cummins. This match, played in front of an enthusiastic crowd, witnessed an intense battle as Pakistan’s fiery pace attack, led by Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi, almost derailed Australia’s chase of a modest 204-run target. Cummins’ calm resolve and decisive final blows, however, saw the hosts clinch a nail-biting win, setting the tone for an exciting summer of cricket down under.

Match Summary

Pakistan: 203 all out in 46.4 overs

Key Performers: Mohammad Rizwan (44), Naseem Shah (40)

Top Australian bowlers: Mitchell Starc (3/33), Pat Cummins (2/39)

Australia: 204/8 in 33.3 overs

Key Performers: Josh Inglis (49), Steve Smith (44), Pat Cummins (crucial unbeaten runs at the end)

Top Pakistani bowlers: Haris Rauf (3/67), Shaheen Afridi (2/40)

Australia won by 2 wickets in a thrilling finish.

First Innings: Starc and Cummins Rattle Pakistan

Australia, playing their first ODI in almost a year, put Pakistan under immediate pressure. Mitchell Starc struck early, dismantling Pakistan’s top order. Saim Ayub, on debut, inside-edged Starc’s second delivery onto his stumps, departing for a duck. Abdullah Shafique followed soon, and Pakistan’s new captain, Mohammad Rizwan, was thrust into a challenging situation alongside Babar Azam.

Babar, under scrutiny for his recent Test struggles, looked confident, crafting elegant strokes to calm Pakistan’s nerves. However, just as Pakistan seemed to be stabilizing, leg-spinner Adam Zampa bowled Babar with a beautiful delivery, leaving Pakistan in trouble at 70 for 4. Rizwan, after a slow start, tried to anchor the innings but struggled against the Australian attack, who kept applying pressure with disciplined bowling.

Kamran Ghulam and Mohammad Nawaz were dismissed by Cummins and Sean Abbott, respectively, adding to Pakistan’s woes. At 117 for 6, Pakistan faced the threat of an embarrassing collapse. But a late resurgence, led by Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi, added valuable runs to the total. Naseem’s fearless cameo, including four towering sixes, provided a late boost to Pakistan’s total, taking them to a respectable 203.

Key Moments of Pakistan’s Innings

Early Strikes from Starc: Starc’s early breakthroughs set the tone, and his sharp pace troubled Pakistan’s top order.
Babar Azam’s Promise, Cut Short: Despite showing glimpses of form, Babar’s dismissal to Zampa halted Pakistan’s recovery.
Naseem’s Heroics at the End: Naseem’s quickfire 40 brought Pakistan back from the brink, providing momentum going into the second innings.

Second Innings: Australia’s Rocky Start and Middle-Order Collapse

Chasing 204, Australia seemed to be cruising early on. Despite losing Matthew Short, who was caught off a mistimed pull against Shaheen Afridi, they maintained an aggressive approach. Jake Fraser-McGurk’s soft dismissal to Naseem Shah briefly set Australia back, but Josh Inglis and Steve Smith quickly put Australia in a comfortable position.

Smith and Inglis batted fluently, scoring at over six runs an over, as they dismantled Pakistan’s bowling in the powerplay. Smith hit Mohammad Hasnain for a couple of boundaries, while Inglis launched Naseem Shah for a six, showcasing Australia’s dominance. By the 15th over, Australia had racked up 105 runs, making the target look comfortably within reach.

Pakistan’s Fightback: Haris Rauf Brings the Fire

The game took a dramatic turn after the drinks break, when Haris Rauf ignited Pakistan’s hopes with an inspired spell. Bowling with aggression and pace, Rauf dismissed Smith, followed shortly by Shaheen Afridi’s removal of a rampant Inglis, reducing Australia to 134 for 5. The match momentum shifted drastically as Rauf struck twice in two balls, sending Marnus Labuschagne and Glenn Maxwell back to the pavilion, leaving Australia reeling.

Rauf’s fiery burst left Australia with 49 runs to chase and only lower-order batters in the lineup. Aaron Hardie and Sean Abbott tried to chip away at the target, but Hardie’s dismissal put Pakistan on the brink of a remarkable comeback. With only 19 runs needed, Abbott was run out, leaving Australia eight down.

Pat Cummins: The Calm Amidst Chaos

With Pakistan’s pacers breathing down Australia’s neck, Cummins demonstrated why he’s one of the most trusted leaders in the game. He held his composure and struck two boundaries off Rauf to keep the target within reach. As the pressure mounted, Cummins found another boundary in the following over, bringing Australia closer to the finish line.

In a match that had seen several twists and turns, Cummins held his nerve and guided Australia to victory with just over 16 overs remaining, giving them a thrilling start to their home summer.

Highlights of Australia’s Run Chase

Smith and Inglis Partnership: Their fluent partnership of 79 runs laid the foundation for Australia’s chase.
Haris Rauf’s Middle-Order Burst: Rauf’s three wickets in quick succession turned the game on its head, bringing Pakistan back into contention.
Cummins’ Steady Hand: Despite the chaos around him, Cummins’ calm approach at the crease ensured Australia crossed the line.

Player of the Match: Pat Cummins

Cummins’ contribution with both bat and ball proved invaluable. His figures of 2/39 with the ball kept Pakistan in check during their innings, and his crucial unbeaten knock in the end sealed the victory for Australia. His resilience under pressure showcased his leadership and composure, attributes that make him a vital player for Australia across formats.

Post-Match Reactions

Cummins expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance, acknowledging the pressure Pakistan’s bowlers applied towards the end. “It’s great to start the summer with a win. Haris and Shaheen bowled excellently, but we kept calm. The team showed grit, and it was nice to contribute at the end,” said Cummins in the post-match presentation.

Pakistan’s captain Mohammad Rizwan praised his bowlers, especially Rauf, for bringing the game to the wire. “We were close, and the bowlers did an exceptional job to fight back. There’s a lot we can learn from this, and we’ll look to come back stronger in the next game,” Rizwan commented.

Looking Ahead

Australia’s win sets an optimistic tone for their upcoming fixtures, but they will be wary of the middle-order collapse and look to strengthen their approach in tight situations. Pakistan, on the other hand, can take confidence from their bowlers’ spirited performance, even though their batting order needs more resilience to pose competitive totals.

This tightly contested match has left fans eager for the rest of the series, where both teams will look to address their weaknesses and build on their strengths.