New Delhi: Australia bagged their first win of the 2024 summer, beating Pakistan by two wickets in the first ODI at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Monday. It was a nervy win for the Aussies who were given a tough battle by Pakistan, which was led by new skipper Mohammad Rizwan. Pat Cummins kept his nerves and steered his team to victory with defiant characteristics, as previously seen during his foreign ODI tours and the 2023 ODI World Cup as well.
It is noteworthy that with the first ODI win and leading the three-match series 1-0, Australia have equalled West Indies for a huge record in the one-day internationals (ODIs). With the win at the MCG, they have notched up 71 wins against Pakistan in ODI cricket, a feat that they now share with West Indies, who have the same number of wins against the Men in Green in the ODIs. But it’s Australia who have taken fewer games to bag the feat.
Most ODI wins against Pakistan
71 – Australia (109 matches)
71 – West Indies (137 matches)
59 – Sri Lanka (157 matches)
57 – England (92 matches)
57 – India (135 matches)
AUS limit PAK to 203, win nail-biter
Australia had won the toss and opted to bowl first in Melbourne, a decision that worked well for them as the Aussie pacers troubled the Pakistani batters. Their top order failed and experienced batters Babar Azam and Rizwan played crucial knocks to revive the innings. The middle order failed as well and the innings were further carried by Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah as both gave the team much needed push. Pakistan were bowled out at 203.
Coming out to chase, even the Australian openers didn’t live up to the expectations. Steven Smith, along with Josh Inglis steered the Kangaroo run-chase but departed before they could capitalise on their innings. There wasn’t much batting display by Australia further until skipper Cummins decided to keep his end firm and rely upon rotating the strike rather than going for the boundaries – a tactic that he has excelled with before. With two wickets in hand, Cummins led Australia home with an edgy run-chase.
