Rawalpindi (Web Desk) – Pakistan gained the upper hand in the first One-Day International against Australia after a brilliant bowling display, led by debutant Arafat Minhas, restricted the visitors to just 200 runs in Rawalpindi.
After winning the toss, Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi opted to bowl first, a decision that paid off as his bowlers consistently applied pressure on the Australian batting lineup. Despite a few fighting knocks, Australia failed to build lasting partnerships and were eventually bowled out for 200 in 44.1 overs.
The standout performer of the innings was young spinner Arafat Minhas, who enjoyed a dream debut by claiming five wickets. His impressive spell dismantled the middle and lower order, putting Pakistan firmly in control of the contest. Minhas’ performance highlighted Pakistan’s promising bowling depth and provided a memorable start to his international career.
Australia’s innings was anchored by Matt Renshaw, who scored a determined 61 runs. Matthew Short also made a valuable contribution with 55, helping Australia recover from early setbacks. However, the rest of the batting lineup struggled to convert starts into significant scores.
Alex Carey managed 19 runs, while captain Josh Inglis added 13. Nathan Ellis contributed 8 runs and Ollie Peake scored 7. Australia’s difficulties were further exposed as three batters were dismissed without troubling the scorers, reflecting the dominance of Pakistan’s bowling attack throughout the innings.
Apart from Minhas’ five-wicket haul, Pakistan received support from several bowlers. Abrar Ahmed claimed two wickets, while Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Salman Ali Agha picked up one wicket each. The collective effort ensured Australia never gained momentum and were unable to post a challenging total.
With Australia dismissed for 200, Pakistan now require 201 runs to secure victory and take an early lead in the ODI series. The modest target gives the hosts a strong opportunity to start the series on a winning note, although Australia will be hoping their bowlers can produce a spirited fightback.
The match also featured several fresh faces in both squads, adding an extra layer of excitement to the series opener. As Pakistan begin their chase, all eyes will remain on whether the batting unit can capitalize on the excellent platform created by their bowlers and complete a successful start to the series.
