MELBOURNE: Australia captain Pat Cummins held on to his nerves and steered his side to a thrilling two-wicket victory over Pakistan in the first ODI of the three-match series here at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Monday.
Cummins remained unbeaten on 32 as Australia chased the 204-run target in 33.3 overs at the loss of eight wickets.
The hosts had an unwanted start to the run-chase as both openers returned to the pavilion in four overs with only 28 runs on the board.
However, Steve Smith and Josh Inglis put Australia on top with a partnership of 85 runs in 75 balls, pushing the team’s total to 114.
Haris Rauf broke the partnership with the wicket of Smith, who scored 44 off 46 with the help of six boundaries.
Meanwhile, Inglis fell prey to Shaheen Shah Afridi, thanks to a terrific catch by Irfan Khan. The wicket-keeper top-scored for Australia with a 42-ball knock of 49 runs, laced with four boundaries and three sixes.
With Australia needing 65 runs from 30 overs, Rauf removed Marnus Labuschagne (16) and Glenn Maxwell (0) on back-to-back deliveries to leave Australia reeling at 139-6.
Mohammad Hasnain dismissed Aaron Hardie (10), however, Sean Abbott and Pat Cummins kept Australia in the game with a valuable 30-run partnership for the eighth wicket.
Abbott scored 13 runs before he was run out, courtesy of a brilliant direct hit by Shaheen Afridi while attempting a third run.
Australia needed 19 runs from 20 overs with two wickets in hand but Cummins held on to his nerve and guided his side to the victory with a gusty knock of 32.
For Pakistan, Rauf took three, while Afridi claimed two wickets. Naseem Shah and Hasnain grabbed one apiece.
Mitchell Starc gave Australia the desired start after they opted to field as he removed both openers inside seven overs with 24 runs on the board.
Babar Azam played a 37-run knock from 44 balls and added 39 runs for the third wicket with Mohammad Rizwan before getting bowled by Adam Zampa.
Kamran Ghulam could add only runs with one boundary as he fell prey to Pat Cummins’ well-directed bouncer in the next over.
Meanwhile, Sean Abbott removed Salman Ali (12) to leave Pakistan struggling at 101-5.
Mohammad Rizwan scored 44 runs from 71 balls before he top-edged off Marnus Labuschagne while attempting to sweep, only to get caught by wicket-keeper Josh Inglis.
Irfan Khan (22) and Shaheen Shah Afridi (24) added valuable runs before Naseem Shah played a gusty cameo of 40, which featured four sixes and one four to help Pakistan cross the 200-run mark.
Pat Cummins ended Naseem’s cameo to bundle Pakistan for 203.
Starc led the bowling charts with figures of 3-33, while Cummins and Zampa claimed two wickets each.
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