Captain Pat Cummins Leads Australia to Narrow Victory Over Pakistan in Thrilling First ODI
Australia’s skipper, Pat Cummins, lived up to his “Captain Clutch” moniker by steering his team out of a dramatic collapse to secure a nail-biting two-wicket victory over Pakistan in the opening ODI at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
After winning the toss and electing to bowl, Australia restricted Pakistan to a modest total of 203, a score that seemed well within reach for the hosts. But Pakistan’s spirited performance with the ball saw Australia falter in their chase, sliding from a strong position at 4-139 to a precarious 7-155, before Cummins’s calm leadership saw them home.
Entering with Australia in dire straits, Cummins joined Mitchell Starc at the crease and took control, finishing unbeaten on 32 and hitting the winning runs as Australia clinched the game in just 33.3 overs. His calculated approach and resilience made all the difference, with Starc providing essential support from the other end.
The win, however, highlighted areas for improvement, as Australian great Mark Waugh commented on Fox Cricket: “Good game of cricket. Pakistan fought hard…Australia, they’ve got a lot of room for improvement but just enough class, particularly from Pat Cummins with the bat, to get over the line.”
Pakistan’s Early Struggles and Recovery
Pakistan, aiming to set a challenging target, stumbled early, losing openers Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique to Mitchell Starc, who put Australia in control at 2-24. Muhammad Rizwan then anchored the innings with a top score of 44, but consistent breakthroughs from the Australian attack prevented Pakistan from building any substantial partnerships.
Starc was the standout bowler, finishing with figures of 3-33, while Cummins and leg-spinner Adam Zampa claimed two wickets apiece, ensuring Pakistan’s total remained within reach for the Australians.
Australia’s Top-Order Wobbles
Australia’s chase started on a shaky note as openers Matt Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk departed early, leaving them at 2-28. Veteran Steve Smith then teamed up with Josh Inglis, adding stability to the innings and briefly putting Australia back on track.
Smith’s composed 44 and Inglis’s near-half-century (49) were encouraging signs, with former England captain Michael Vaughan noting that Smith’s form could signal “ominous signs for the Australian summer.”
However, after Smith’s departure at 3-113, Australia’s middle order unravelled. Inglis fell soon after, and Pakistan’s Haris Rauf, producing a fiery spell, triggered a mini-collapse by dismissing Marnus Labuschagne (16) and Glenn Maxwell (0) on consecutive balls, leaving Australia reeling at 7-155.
Captain Cummins and a Close Call
Cummins and Sean Abbott seemed to have Australia on the brink of victory until a lapse in judgment from Abbott created late drama. Attempting a third run, Abbott was caught short of the crease as Shaheen Afridi’s pinpoint throw ran him out, leaving Australia with just two wickets in hand and a slim lead.
Nevertheless, Cummins’s steady approach under pressure proved decisive as he guided Australia past the finish line, ensuring they went 1-0 up in the series.
Cummins’s match-winning performance solidified his reputation as one of Australia’s most dependable leaders in recent memory. The game underscored Pakistan’s tenacity and Australia’s need to tighten up ahead of the summer, setting the stage for an exciting ODI series.
