Australia has defeated Pakistan by two wickets in the first ODI match in Melbourne.
Chasing 204 runs, Australia suffered early losses in the form of both their openers.
Matthew Short was dismissed by Shaheen Afridi for 1 run and Naseem Shah dismissed Jack Freese McGurk for 16 runs.
Steven Smith was caught off Haris Rauf for 44, Josh Ingles was out for 49, Marence Labuchin was out for 16 and Glenn Maxwell was out for zero.
On behalf of Pakistan, Haris Rauf dismissed 3 players, Shaheen Afridi dismissed 2 players, Naseem Shah and Mohammad Hasnain dismissed 1 player and 1 player.
Australia won the toss of the match and invited Pakistan to bat first, which collapsed for 203 runs in the 46th over.
Saeem Ayub scored one and Abdullah Shafiq scored 12, both dismissed by Mitchell Starc. Babar Azam was caught by Zampa on 37.
Kamran Ghulam five, Salman Agha 12, Mohammad Rizwan 44, Shaheen Shah Afridi 24, Naseem Shah 40 and Haris Rauf were out for zero.
For Australia, Mitchell Starc took 3 wickets, Pete Cummins and Zampa took 2, 2 while Sean Abbott and Labuschand took 1 and 1 wicket respectively.
According to a statement issued by the Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday, the National Selection Committee announced the 11-member squad for the first match of the three-match ODI against Australia.
Mohammad Rizwan is leading Pakistan in ODIs for the first time while batsman Mohammad Irfan Khan is making his international debut.
Pakistan’s playing XI includes captain Muhammad Rizwan, vice-captain Salman Ali Agha, Abdullah Shafiq, Saeem Ayub, Babar Azam and Kamran Ghulam.
Pakistan team has entered the field with 4 fast bowlers including Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and Mohammad Hasnain.
Pakistan’s national team captain Muhammad Rizwan said in a press conference in Melbourne on Sunday that ‘we have to forget the past and move forward.’
Mohammad Rizwan said that ‘I will also be consulted in the playing eleven. I am one of those who walk with advice, take advice from young players too.’
He further said that ‘Babar Azam, Shaheen and Naseem have had many performances for Pakistan, today the name of Babar and Shaheen is only because of their performances.’
According to Muhammad Rizwan, “The fans are definitely a little angry about the performance of the Pakistan team, we are supported by Pakistani fans all over the world, we will not disappoint them now.”
The second ODI between Pakistan and Australia will be played on November 8 and the third on November 10.
T20 international matches will be played between Pakistan and Australia teams from November 14 to 18.
