Australia’s bowlers were relentless, with Mitchell Starc the pick, finishing with 3-33. Pat Cummins chimed in with 2-39 and Adam Zampa returned 2-69, including the key wicket of Babar Azam, a victory soured somewhat by the late stick he copped from No 8 Naseem Shah who whacked a valuable 40 from 39 balls. Pakistan’s top order crumpled like a cheap suit and it was left to their middle order and tail to salvage some pride. But will 203 runs be enough against an Australian wrecking crew featuring Glenn Maxwell and Jake Fraser-McGurk? Join Rob Smyth after the dinner break to find out.
The Unwanted Record
Babar Azam registered an unwanted record in ODIs during the first match against Australia on Monday when the former Pakistan captain was undone by Adam Zampa at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Coming into bat early in the innings after the dismissal of Saim Ayub, the right-hander forged a 39-run stand with new skipper Mohammad Rizwan before being cleaned up by a Zampa delivery that kept low. It was Babar’s first clean-bowled dismissal against a spinner in five years in 50-overs cricket.
Pakistan's Struggle
However, Pakistan are in a tough position after being sent into bat. The visitors lost openers Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique cheaply before Babar and Rizwan revived the innings. But with Babar going back in the hut, wickets kept tumbling again for Pakistan.
Starc's Milestone
On the other hand, Australian pacer Mitchell Starc surpassed legendary Brett Lee to become the fastest to reach 100 ODI wickets in Australia. While Starc completed the feat in 54 innings, Lee reached the milestone in 55 innings.
The Series' Significance
At the time of writing this article, Rizwan was Pakistan's top-scorer with 44 as the Men in Green are six wickets down for 124 in 33 overs. Meanwhile, Pat Cummins, who hasn't played for Australia since the T20 World Cup in June, returned to lead the side while Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head are on paternity leave for the three-match series.
The series is Australia's major preparation for next year's Champions Trophy as it is scheduled to play just one more ODI – against Sri Lanka in February.
Pakistan's Challenges
Pakistan, who will host the Champions Trophy, are coming into the series with plenty of happenings around its white-ball squad and team management over the last year. Babar has twice stepped down from limited-overs leadership since last year's 50-over World Cup in India, with Rizwan taking over the reins just ahead of the team's departure to Australia.
The Debuts
Opening batter Saim Ayub and all-rounder Irfan Khan were awarded ODI debuts on Monday.
The Teams
Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Kamran Ghulam, Salman Ali Agha, Irfan Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain.
Australia: Matt Short, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Aaron Hardie, Sean Abbott, Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa.
Australia's Challenge
Australia need 161 runs from 43.2 overs.Stats view
No half-centuries from any Pakistan batters; Rizwan top scores with 44
Babar Azam was bowled when he played back to Adam Zampa • AFP
Australia's ODI questions: Opening 'fireworks', filling Green's spot and the back-up quicks
'Final piece of information' - Cummins makes ODI return
Alex Malcolm is an associate editor at ESPNcricinfo
A Tight Contest
Australia are still strong favourites but Pakistan are aggressively protecting an under-par score as only they can. It’s high-octane stuff out there. Smith does not share that view and moves into double figures with a smooth pull round the corner for four.
Australia are already two wickets down! 📺 Watch #AUSvPAK on Ch. 501 or stream via Kayo https://t.co/sOOmnqnKOT📝 BLOG https://t.co/dPjvyGuj9u📲 MATCH CENTRE https://t.co/3mkl3QUBLD pic.twitter.com/nfsIXaJ50V
The visitors did well to smash, grab and scamper their way to 200 in the end but this first ODI is still very much Australia’s game to lose. Will 203 runs be enough against an Australian wrecking crew featuring Glenn Maxwell and Jake Fraser-McGurk? The answer to that question will be revealed in the coming overs.
