Melbourne (Web Desk): Australia dismissed Pakistan for 203 in the first game of their three-match one-day international (ODI) series on Monday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
Invited to bat first, the Pakistani batting order struggled against the Australian bowlers, who delivered a commanding performance.
Debutant opener Saim Ayub was dismissed early for just 1 run, bowled by Mitchell Starc in the third over. His opening partner, Abdullah Shafique, followed shortly after, managing only 12 runs before falling to Starc.
Babar Azam, making his return to the team after a rest during the latter Tests against England, scored 37 runs but was dismissed by Adam Zampa.
The middle order failed to make a significant impact, with Kamran Ghulam and Salman Ali Agha contributing only 5 and 12 runs, respectively.
Captain Mohammad Rizwan attempted to anchor the innings with a score of 44, but he too could not push on. After Shaheen Shah Afridi was out for 24, it was Naseem Shah (40) and Irfan Khan (22) who helped lift Pakistan’s total past 200 before Haris Rauf was dismissed for a duck.
Starc was the standout bowler for Australia, claiming three wickets, while Pat Cummins and Adam Zampa each took two.
This match marked Pakistan's first ODI since their disappointing exit from the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023, where they lost to England by 93 runs and failed to make the semi-finals.
In contrast, Australia entered the game on a high, having recently secured a 3-2 series win over England.
The two countries have clashed 108 times in ODIs, with Australia holding a significant advantage, winning 70 matches compared to Pakistan's 34.
The Kangaroos have also demonstrated dominance on home soil, winning 37 of their 56 ODIs, while Pakistan has managed just 17 victories.
Teams
Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan (c), Salman Ali Agha (vc), Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain.
Australia: Matt Short, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Steve Smith, Josh Inglis (wk), Marnus Labuschagne, Aaron Hardie, Glenn Maxwell, Sean Abbott, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa.