AUS VS PAK 1ST ODI

Right then, we have had a fantastic start to the series, and if this match is any indication of what's to come, we are certainly in for an exciting series. By his own admission, it may have been closer than they would have liked, but Pat Cummins and his team will be pleased to have crossed the line. Meanwhile, Pakistan fought valiantly with the ball and can take heart from their spirited performance as they aim for a stronger batting display in the next game. The action now shifts to Adelaide, where Australia will look to seal the series, while Pakistan will be eager to bounce back and set up a series decider in Perth. The second ODI, another day-night affair, is scheduled for Friday, November 8, with the first ball at 3.30 am GMT. Join us early for all the build-up. Until then, take care and goodbye!

The captain of Australia, Pat Cummins says that it got a bit tighter than they would have hoped but is happy that they got over the line. Shares that he is happy with the way they bowled. When asked about using eight bowling options, he says that he was trying to keep it interesting and Marnus Labuschagne was always in his ear so he had to have an over. Mentions that they were really good for three-quarters of the game. Feels that when you look to play aggressively, it will not come off always. Ends by saying that there is still room to try and find a couple of partnerships.

Mohammed Rizwan, the skipper of Pakistan says that as a captain he wanted his team to fight hard and is happy about that. Adds that bowling from both teams was great. Thanks the crowd for their support they got and appreciates Haris Rauf for the way he bowled and says they let go of a few chances which cost them the game.

Mitchell Starc is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his brilliance with the ball. He says that it feels good to start the summer off in a positive way. Adds that they were on the hunt for Powerplay wickets and he is glad that he managed to pick up a couple of wickets. Feels that it was a positive effort with the ball but were a little sloppy in the field. States that it was a good wicket and thought that Pakistan were below par. Tells that this is a big summer with a series against India coming up but they still have 5 white-ball games before that.

Time for the presentation ceremony...

Steve Smith is in for a chat and he says Pakistan bowled really well in the middle and they as a team kept charging hard and kept failing. Adds that the wicket was two-paced with a few balls stopping and skidding off the deck with variable bounce which made it hard to bat on. Appreciates Inglis and says he is batting really well and talks about how good he was feeling out there himself and wanted to stay longer. Concludes that Pat Cummins batted exceptionally under pressure and hopes for him to continue throughout the summer.

Earlier in the game, after being asked to bat, Pakistan struggled to find momentum, with several batters getting starts but failing to make it count. Mitchell Starc removed both openers, putting Pakistan on the back foot early. While Babar Azam showed promise, he couldn’t convert it into a big score, and Mohammad Rizwan’s innings was hampered by a lack of rhythm. Pakistan found themselves in deep trouble at 117/6, but Naseem Shah’s entertaining cameo late in the innings pushed them to a somewhat respectable 203, a total that seemed unlikely at one stage. Australia deployed as many as eight bowlers, with Starc standing out for his stellar figures of 3/33 from 10 overs, including three maidens.

However, the game took a dramatic turn when Haris Rauf dismissed Smith, opening the door slightly for Pakistan. Shaheen Afridi then removed Inglis, and Rauf struck twice in two balls, causing Australia to crumble from 139/3 to 139/6. A couple of brain-fade moments from Hardie and Abbott kept Pakistan in the contest, but amidst the chaos, Cummins shone through with a cool-headed finish.

Chasing 204, Australia’s new opening pair of Matthew Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk adopted an aggressive approach but both fell early while attempting to dominate. Pakistan, however, struggled to maintain the pressure after these initial breakthroughs, with their discipline waning at times. Steven Smith looked in sublime touch from the outset, and Josh Inglis, who was given a life on 7 when Irfan Khan dropped a tough chance, grew in confidence as the innings progressed. Together, Smith and Inglis chipped away at the target.

Wow, what a game! A low-scoring thriller to kick off the men’s international cricket summer in Australia! The match was packed with twists and turns, but Australia ultimately prevailed in a nail-biting chase. Credit to Pakistan for battling until the final run, but Australia’s batting depth made the difference, with Pat Cummins staying composed under pressure to guide his team over the line.

That is it! Pat Cummins has led his team right from the front and takes them over the line. This 32 off 31 is nothing short of a true testament to his composure under pressure. Hasnain bowls it short of a length and outside off, Pat Cummins waits back and punches it past the diving fielder at point to his right and gets the winning run.

Follows up with a nice delivery, at the stumps, on a hard length, Pat Cummins gets his bat low and keeps it out.

FOUR! What a fitting shot to level the scores! Hasnain serves this in the slot on middle and off, Pat Cummins duly obliges and whips it straight down the ground past the bowler and to the left of mid on for a boundary.

Fires it with good pace at the stumps, on a fuller length, Mitchell Starc taps it to mid off.

Full and into the pads, Pat Cummins clips it to deep square leg for a single. Just 5 runs needed now!

Short and outside off, Pat Cummins stands tall and swats it nicely but can't get it past cover.

Angles the short one in, on middle and leg, Mitchell Starc hops back and tucks it in front of square leg and scampers across for the run. Australia one big hit away now!