In the opening One Day International (ODI) of the three-match series currently underway at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Pakistan has set a target of 204 runs for Australia.
After Australia won the toss and invited Pakistan to bat first, the openers were eliminated early by Mitchell Starc, who took out Saeem Ayub for one run, and Abdullah Shafique, who scored twelve runs.
While Kamran Ghulam was removed by Pat Cummins after only five runs, former captain Babar Azam scored 37 runs before being bowled by Adam Zampa.
The team’s leading scorer, Mohammad Rizwan, scored 44 runs from 71 deliveries.
Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi, the tailenders, both had quick innings of 40 off 39 deliveries and 24 off 19 balls.
Haris Rauf, a pacer, scored a duck off three balls.
Mitchell Starc took three wickets while scoring 33 runs for Australia, which used eight bowlers.
This is Pakistan’s first One-Day International since the ICC World Cup in India last year.
Pakistan’s tour of Australia includes three ODI and three T20 matches, providing an exciting series for fans.
The second of three ODIs will begin on November 8 at Adelaide Oval in Adelaide. Both teams will then fly to Perth for the third ODI, which will be played on November 10 at the Perth Stadium.
The ODI series will be followed by a three-match T20I series on November 14, 16, and 18.
