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Pakistan<\/strong> began the home ODI series against Australia<\/strong> on a winning note, defeating the tourists by five wickets in the first ODI at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Saturday. After opting to bowl first, the hosts produced a disciplined bowling performance led by Arafat Minhas<\/strong><\/a> before a composed batting display from Babar Azam<\/strong> and Ghazi Ghori<\/strong> guided them to victory with 45 balls to spare.<\/p>\n Australia struggled to build momentum after being sent in to bat and were eventually bowled out for 200 in 44.1 overs. Opener Matthew Short<\/strong> fought hard for his 55 off 76 deliveries, while Matt Renshaw<\/strong> played the standout innings for the visitors with a fluent 61 from 63 balls that included five boundaries and a six.<\/p>\n The tourists made a steady start through Short and Alex Carey<\/strong><\/a>, but Pakistan\u2019s bowlers kept striking at regular intervals. Carey scored 19, while Josh Inglis managed 13 before both departed. Australia\u2019s middle order then suffered a dramatic collapse as Marnus Labuschagne<\/strong> and Cameron Green<\/strong> were dismissed without scoring.<\/p>\n The turning point came through Minhas, who produced a career-defining spell. The young spinner ripped through Australia\u2019s middle and lower order, claiming outstanding figures of 5\/32 from his 10 overs. His spell ensured that Australia never recovered despite Renshaw\u2019s resistance.<\/p>\n Abrar Ahmed<\/strong> chipped in with two wickets, while Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf<\/strong> and Salman Agha<\/strong> picked up one scalp each. Australia lost their final six wickets for just 39 runs, falling well short of a competitive total.<\/p>\n Also READ: PAK vs AUS, ODI Series: Broadcast, Live Streaming details \u2013 When and where to watch in India, Pakistan, USA, Australia & other countries<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Chasing 201 for victory, Pakistan had a cautious start but remained in control throughout the innings. Sahibzada Farhan<\/strong> contributed a useful 28 at the top before Maaz Sadaqat<\/strong> departed for 8. With Pakistan briefly reduced to 43\/2, Babar and Ghori combined to take the game away from Australia. The pair stitched together a crucial partnership that stabilized the innings and steadily pushed Pakistan towards the target.<\/p>\n Babar once again displayed his trademark consistency, compiling a classy 69 from 94 deliveries. The former captain mixed patience with authority, striking four boundaries and a six during his innings. At the other end, Ghori impressed with a mature knock of 65 off 92 balls, finding the fence eight times and keeping the scoreboard moving.<\/p>\n Their partnership effectively broke Australia\u2019s hopes of defending the modest total. Although both batters fell before the finish, the damage had already been done. Minhas capped off a memorable outing by contributing an unbeaten 18 from 17 balls, including two fours and a six. Salman Agha added a quick-fire 6, while Abdul Samad remained unbeaten on 1 as Pakistan reached 202\/5 in 42.3 overs.<\/p>\n Nathan Ellis<\/strong> was Australia\u2019s most successful bowler with two wickets, while Matthew Kuhnemann, Tanveer Sangha<\/strong> and Labuschagne claimed one wicket each. However, the visitors lacked the firepower needed to consistently trouble Pakistan\u2019s batters. For his exceptional all-round contribution, particularly his match-winning five-wicket haul, Minhas was deservedly named Player of the Match. His brilliance with the ball laid the foundation for Pakistan\u2019s victory and helped the hosts take a 1-0 lead in the ODI series.<\/p>\n Pakistan registered an easy win over Australia in the first ODI \ud83d\udcaa#PAKvsAUS<\/a> #cricket<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/zaSR8y2VRS<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) May 31, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nArafat Minhas dismantles Australia\u2019s batting lineup<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Babar Azam and Ghazi Ghori anchor Pakistan\u2019s successful chase<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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