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Beyond Playfields > AUSvsPAK > Australia vs Pakistan 1st ODI (Nov 4, 2024): A Thrilling Encounter at Melbourne
Pakistan vs Australia, 1st ODI – Match Review: A Nail-Biting Thriller in Melbourne
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November 7, 2024
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Australia vs Pakistan 1st ODI (Nov 4, 2024): A Thrilling Encounter at Melbourne

In a gripping ODI series opener at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on November 4, 2024, Australia emerged victorious over Pakistan by a narrow margin of 2 wickets, chasing down a target of 204 with just 99 balls to spare. The match was packed with excitement, skillful bowling, and strategic batting, keeping fans on the edge of their seats till the end.

Let’s break down this thrilling game.

Pakistan’s Innings: Battling Through Australian Firepower

After being put in to bat first, Pakistan faced Australia’s fierce bowling attack and struggled to build momentum. The start was shaky as Pakistan lost quick wickets in the powerplay, thanks to aggressive bowling by Australia’s pace trio led by Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins.

Batting Highlights:

•Abdullah Shafique started with promise but was dismissed for 12 off 26 balls, caught by Inglis off Starc.

•Babar Azam, Pakistan’s captain and one of the world’s top batsmen, held the innings together with a steady 37 off 44 deliveries. He showed glimpses of his class but fell victim to Adam Zampa’s spin.

The cricketing world witnessed an intense clash between Pakistan and Australia in the 1st ODI of the series at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on November 4, 2024. In a game that was as thrilling as it was competitive, Australia managed to edge out Pakistan by 2 wickets, chasing down the target of 204 runs with 99 balls remaining. Let’s dive into the details of this nail-biting encounter. Pakistan’s Innings – Struggles and Highlights Score: 203 all out (44.6 overs) After winning the toss, Australia put Pakistan in to bat. Pakistan’s innings started with a tough challenge, as Australia’s fast bowlers were in exceptional form. Pakistan’s openers, Abdullah Shafique and Sami Ayub, struggled to establish a strong start. Shafique was dismissed for a brisk 20 off 16 balls, followed shortly by Ayub, who contributed 8 runs from 17 deliveries. The early dismissals left Pakistan at 22/2, under pressure right from the beginning. Key Players in the Middle Order: • Babar Azam showed resilience with his 37 off 64 balls, anchoring Pakistan’s innings despite the early setbacks. His innings was cut short by Adam Zampa, who bowled him, reducing Pakistan’s chances of a high total. • Mohammad Rizwan tried to stabilize the innings alongside Babar but was dismissed for 44 off 60 deliveries by Pat Cummins. Rizwan’s performance was notable as he took on the responsibility of guiding the innings after early losses. • Kamran Ghulam chipped in with a useful 26 off 32 balls, but his dismissal came at a crucial moment, adding pressure on the lower order. Pakistan’s lower-middle order, including Salman Agha and Irfan Khan, couldn’t provide the expected momentum, with both getting dismissed in the single digits. However, Shaheen Shah Afridi provided some late firepower with a quick 24 off 19 balls, hitting two sixes in his cameo before being bowled by Starc. Australia’s Bowling Performance: Australia’s bowlers maintained a tight grip throughout Pakistan’s innings, particularly Mitchell Starc, who claimed the title of Player of the Match with his figures of 3/33 in 10 overs. Starc’s deadly pace and accurate bowling consistently troubled Pakistan’s batsmen. Pat Cummins also contributed significantly, taking 3 wickets for 34 runs in his 9.4 overs, including the important wicket of Mohammad Rizwan. Adam Zampa proved his worth as a spinner with 2/46, dismantling Pakistan’s batting lineup alongside the pacers. Pakistan was bowled out for 203 in 44.6 overs, setting Australia a moderate target of 204 runs. Australia’s Chase – Pakistan’s Fierce Bowling vs. Australia’s Resilience Target: 204 runs in 50 overs Final Score: 204/8 in 33 overs Australia’s innings got off to a shaky start as Pakistan’s bowlers struck early. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah delivered intense opening spells, removing both openers, Matthew Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk, within the first 8 overs. Australia found themselves at 22/2, and the game seemed balanced at this stage. Middle Order Contributions: • Steven Smith stepped up for Australia with a steady 46 off 73 balls, but he couldn’t convert it into a match-winning knock. His dismissal by Shaheen Afridi brought Pakistan back into the game. • Josh Inglis added 49 runs off 44 balls, providing the necessary acceleration. He was ultimately dismissed by Irfan Khan, but his innings played a vital role in keeping Australia in the hunt. • Marnus Labuschagne made a brisk 39 from 22 balls, injecting momentum into the innings before being dismissed by Haris Rauf. As wickets fell regularly, Pakistan kept Australia under pressure, defending their low total admirably. At one point, Australia was 170/7, and Pakistan sensed an opportunity to pull off a remarkable victory. Lower Order Heroics: Australia’s captain Pat Cummins played a crucial role in steering the team towards victory with an unbeaten 32 off 31 balls. His composure under pressure allowed Australia to inch closer to the target. Despite Pakistan’s tight bowling and fielding, Cummins’ experience and resilience shone through, helping Australia cross the finish line with 2 wickets in hand. Pakistan’s Bowling Standout Performers: Pakistan’s bowlers displayed exceptional skill and tenacity, making Australia’s chase anything but easy: • Shaheen Shah Afridi was brilliant with figures of 3/42 in 10 overs, taking vital wickets and keeping Pakistan in the game. • Haris Rauf bowled aggressively, taking 2 wickets for 44 runs in his 9 overs. • Mohammad Hasnain also chipped in with a key wicket, while Naseem Shah’s economical spell kept the scoring in check. Despite their best efforts, Pakistan’s bowlers couldn’t completely break Australia’s lower order, and Australia eventually chased down the target in 33 overs. Match Summary • Result: Australia won by 2 wickets. • Player of the Match: Mitchell Starc (AUS) – 3 wickets for 33 runs • Top Scorers: • Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan – 44 (60), Babar Azam – 37 (64) • Australia: Josh Inglis – 49 (44), Steven Smith – 46 (73) Key Takeaways 1. Australia’s Bowlers Lead the Charge: Mitchell Starc’s lethal pace and Pat Cummins’ disciplined bowling were instrumental in restricting Pakistan to a modest total. The Australian bowling attack showed why they are one of the best, with their bowlers adapting seamlessly to the pitch conditions. 2. Pakistan’s Fighting Spirit: Despite posting only 203 runs, Pakistan’s bowlers put up a valiant fight, striking regularly to keep Australia on edge. Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf’s combined efforts nearly pulled off an incredible defense. 3. Middle Order Strength: Australia’s middle order played a key role in stabilizing the innings after the early setbacks. The contributions from Steven Smith and Josh Inglis were essential to their chase, providing the backbone that allowed Cummins to finish the job. 4. Resilient Leadership by Pat Cummins: Cummins not only contributed with the ball but also held his nerve in the chase, demonstrating his all-round abilities and leadership. His calm and collected approach under pressure ultimately guided Australia to victory. Conclusion The 1st ODI between Pakistan and Australia at Melbourne was a closely contested affair, showcasing the strengths of both teams. Australia’s victory by 2 wickets sets an exciting tone for the series, as Pakistan’s bowlers proved they can challenge one of the world’s best batting lineups, even with a low total. This thrilling encounter has raised anticipation for the upcoming matches, promising more competitive cricket.

•Mohammad Rizwan top-scored with 44 off 71 balls, playing a stabilizing role in the middle order. However, his wicket was crucial as he was caught by Labuschagne off Cummins.

muhammad rizwan against austrlia at mcg

Pakistan’s middle and lower order struggled to handle the pace and precision of Australian bowlers. Despite a few brief partnerships, the team couldn’t reach a significant total, eventually getting bowled out for 203 in 46.4 overs.

Bowling Prowess by Australia:

•Mitchell Starc was named Player of the Match for his exceptional performance, taking 3 wickets for 33 runs in his 10 overs. His lethal pace rattled Pakistan’s top order.

Mitchel starc

•Pat Cummins supported Starc well, claiming 2 wickets for 39 runs in 9.4 overs, including the vital dismissal of Rizwan.

•Adam Zampa picked up 2 wickets for 64 runs, including the key wicket of Babar Azam.

Adam Zampa

Pakistan’s final score of 203 was below par for MCG’s conditions, setting Australia a target of 204 runs to win.

Australia’s Innings: Pakistan’s Bowling Fightback

Chasing a modest target, Australia’s innings was not smooth sailing. Pakistan’s bowling attack, led by Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf, struck early blows that put Australia on the back foot.

Batting Highlights for Australia:

•Steven Smith anchored the innings with a solid 44 off 46 balls, displaying his class and resilience.

•Josh Inglis played a crucial role in the middle, scoring 49 off 42 balls, bringing Australia close to the target before he was dismissed by Afridi.

•Pat Cummins, the Australian captain, played a calm and steady innings, finishing unbeaten with 32 off 31 balls to guide his team to victory with just 2 wickets left.

Despite some middle-order struggles, Cummins’ composed performance ensured that Australia reached the target in 33.3 overs.

Pakistan’s Bowling Highlights:

•Shaheen Shah Afridi bowled exceptionally well, taking 2 wickets for 43 runs in his 10 overs. His disciplined line and length kept Australia’s batsmen on their toes.

•Haris Rauf was the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan, claiming 3 wickets for 67 runs in his 9 overs, including the crucial scalps of Smith and Maxwell.

•Mohammad Hasnain and Naseem Shah also contributed with one wicket each, adding pressure to the Australian batting lineup.

Pakistan’s bowling attack showed great fight, reducing Australia to 170/7 at one point, but Cummins and Starc held their nerve to chase down the target with 2 wickets to spare.

Key Takeaways from the Match

1. Australian Bowlers Dominate: The pace and control of Starc and Cummins set the tone for the match, restricting Pakistan to a below-par total.

2. Rizwan and Babar’s Contributions: Despite the tough conditions, Pakistan’s middle-order, led by Rizwan and Babar, provided some stability but couldn’t convert their starts into big scores.

3. Pakistan’s Bowling Resilience: Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf displayed admirable resilience, nearly defending a low total, but Australia’s experience in the lower order, especially Cummins, saw them through.

4. Captain’s Knock by Pat Cummins: Cummins’ composed innings under pressure highlights his growing stature as a leader, guiding Australia home in a challenging chase.

Conclusion

The 1st ODI between Australia and Pakistan was a classic example of a low-scoring thriller, with both teams showcasing their strengths and weaknesses. Australia’s win by 2 wickets gives them a 1-0 lead in the series, but Pakistan’s spirited performance, especially with the ball, sets up an exciting narrative for the remaining matches. As fans eagerly await the next encounter, this match has already provided a taste of the fierce competition and skillful play that defines ODI cricket at its best.

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