Australia Set Pakistan 201-Run Target in First ODI
Arafat Minhas Shines as Australia Bowled Out for 200
SYDNEY: (Web Desk) – Australia were bowled out for 200 runs in 44.5 overs in the opening One-Day International of the three-match series against Pakistan at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, setting the hosts a target of 201 runs for victory.
After winning the toss, Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi elected to field first, a decision that paid off as the bowlers kept the Australian batting line-up under pressure throughout the innings.
For Australia, Matthew Renshaw top-scored with 61 runs, while Matt Short contributed 55. Matthew Kuhnemann added 24 runs, but no other batter managed to build a substantial partnership.
The star performer for Pakistan was debutant Arafat Minhas, who delivered a memorable spell by claiming five wickets for 32 runs in his first ODI appearance.
Spinner Abrar Ahmed picked up two wickets, while Shaheen Afridi, Salman Ali Agha and Haris Rauf chipped in with one wicket each.
The match also marked a historic milestone for Pakistan cricket, as the national team became only the third side in the world to play 1,000 One-Day Internationals, joining Australia national cricket team and India national cricket team in reaching the landmark.
Ahead of the match, Shaheen Afridi described the occasion as a proud moment for Pakistan cricket and expressed his determination to lead the team to victory in its milestone ODI.
Pakistan’s playing XI includes Shaheen Afridi (captain), Sahibzada Farhan, Maaz Sadaqat, Babar Azam, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), Salman Ali Agha, Abdul Samad, Shadab Khan, Arafat Minhas, Haris Rauf and Abrar Ahmed.
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