Australia vs Pakistan ODI 1: Visitors continue to rule in Pakistan

A clinical win for visitors as they continued their momentum throughout.

A powerful total from Australia

Pakistan, on winning the toss, decided to bowl first. Australian innings opened with Travis Head and captain Aaron Finch. Travis Head played a scintillating inning to be remembered for a long time. He scored the fastest ODI century by an Australian against Pakistan. He scored 101-runs in just 72 balls which came in partnership with 110-runs off 88 balls with the skipper. Following this came Ben McDermott’s 70-ball 55 runs. Middle-order didn’t contribute much but kept the scoreboard ticking with runs. Whereat one stage it felt the 350-plus score was on cards for Australia, they started losing the plot. However, Cameron Green navigated the late flourish with his 30-ball 40 and a little contribution by tail-ender to put the target of 314 for Pakistan. Any score par 300 is challenging be it for hosts or visitors. 

Disciplined bowling from Australia scrambled Pakistan

Pakistan’s innings started with the early wicket of opener Fakhar Zaman. But this followed the most important and probably the only big partnership that Pakistan could dig, between skipper Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq. They stitched a 96-runs partnership off 118 balls. Where Babar Azam got dismissed for 57 runs in the form of Mitchell Swepson’s maiden ODI wicket, Imam-ul-Haq thrashed 103 runs off 96 balls. Australian bowlers then maintained good pressure and wickets started tumbling. Pakistan’s middle-order saw a terrible collapse. Adam Zampa shined as he took four wickets. Travis Head after his magnificent batting took two wickets and one catch-out. None of the batters could capitalize in any of the overs and crumble out at 225 in 45.2 overs.

Babar Azam said, “We wanted to restrict them to under 300. But we didn't start well in the first ten overs, but we restricted them well in the end. I thought we lost the grip when I got out. It wasn't easy for the new batsmen, but unfortunately, I got out and they got the momentum. When your main players aren't available, you have to back the young players. The debutants did well though. We will discuss the mistakes we made and look to not repeat it in the next game.”

Australia with a 1-0 lead

Australia will be immensely glad about their performance. Playing with players who barely had played international games, approached the match with utmost grit and determination. They displayed their batting depth and equivalent professional bowling. Travis Head was a one-man wrecking crew today and  was declared Player of the Match. Pakistan failed to execute its plan. They couldn’t capitalize on their decision to bowl first after winning the toss too. The second ODI will be on 31st March 2022 with Australia having a 1-0 lead in the series. Let’s see whether Pakistan will be able to make a comeback in the 2nd ODI or Australia will seal the series.