RAWALPINDI: Debutant Arafat Minhas starred with bat and ball as Pakistan beat Australia by five wickets in the first ODI of the three-match series at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Saturday
The 21-year-old first ripped through Australia’s batting line-up with a historic five-wicket haul before coming back to wrap up the chase in style, smashing a six to seal Pakistan’s victory with 45 balls to spare.
In pursuit of a modest 201, Pakistan got to 202-5 in 42.3 overs, helped by a 127-run partnership between Babar Azam and wicketkeeper-batter Ghazi Ghori that proved to be a match-defining stand.
Pakistan’s chase started off on a shaky note with Maaz Sadaqat falling for eight with only 25 runs on the board. Pakistan were 49-2 when Sahibzada Farhan was out for 28 in the 13th over, another blow to the hosts.
Babar and Ghazi then steadied the innings with a composed stand that slowly took the game away from Australia. The two batsmen had played well-constructed half-centuries as they rotated the strike well.
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The partnership was broken in the 39th over when Nathan Ellis deceived Babar with a slower one. The former Pakistan captain top-scored with 69 off 94 balls, hitting four boundaries and a six.
Ellis struck again in his next over to dismiss Ghazi, who impressed with 65 off 92 balls, including eight fours.
Marnus Labuschagne trapped Salman Ali Agha lbw for six to give Pakistan another wicket, but Minhas made sure there were no more hiccups. Fittingly, the all-rounder signed off his dream debut with a straight six, remaining unbeaten on 18 from 17 balls.
Ellis was the most successful of Australia’s bowlers with 2-45, while Matthew Kuhnemann, Tanveer Sangha and Labuschagne took a wicket each.
Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi’s decision to bowl first earlier proved decisive as Australia were dismissed for 200 in 44.1 overs.
But while Matthew Short and Matt Renshaw both passed 50, the visitors failed to build any significant partnerships against a disciplined Pakistan bowling attack.
Short made 55 off 76 balls, and Renshaw added 61, but Australia’s middle order failed to capitalise on their promising start.
Minhas was the star of the innings as he became the first Pakistani bowler to take a five-wicket haul on his ODI debut, adding his name to the annals of Pakistan cricket. He finished with a fine 5-32 in his ten overs.
Abrar Ahmed was the most successful bowler with 2 wickets, while Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf took 1 wicket each.
Pakistan leads the three-match ODI series 1-0; the second match will be played in Lahore on June 2.
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