In the first ODI of the series, Australia entered the field with the goal of winning by restricting Pakistan to 203 runs. But Australia fell in fear of defeat as they chased down that score. Despite Pakistan's brilliant bowling, the hosts eventually left the field with a 2-wicket victory thanks to the tenacity of captain Pat Cummins. The host Australia has taken a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Despite losing Matthew Short, Jake McGurk for 28 runs in a target of 204 runs in Melbourne, the Aussie team was going easy with the bats of Steven Smith-Josh Inglis. The two made a partnership of 85 runs. The scenario changed when Haris Rauf brought back Smith who scored 44 runs. After that, Shaheen Afridi returned English to 49 runs. Ajid's sixth wicket fell for 139 runs after Haris Rauf sent Labuschagne (16) and Glenn Maxwell (0) back to back with a couple of hits. That's when the match tilted towards Pakistan. Aaron Hardy (10) and Sean Abbott (13) departed for 155 runs and Pakistan's hope of victory was raised. The end turned out to be a thriller, but Pat Cummins snatched the win for the visitors with an edge. Australia lost 8 wickets and left the field with victory in 33.3 overs. Cummins was unbeaten on 32 off 31 balls. Mitchell Starc (2) was with him.
Haris Rauf took 3 wickets for 67 runs to give hope of victory for Pakistan. Shaheen Afridi took two for 43 runs. Nasim Shah and Mohammad Hasnain took one each.
Playing the first ODI after 2023, Pakistan lost the toss and went into bat at the start and fell under Starc's cannon. Two openers Saim Ayyub (1) and Abdullah Shafiq (12) lost by 24 runs. After that, however, Babar Azam and captain Mohammad Rizwan handled the shock. They added 39 runs. Zampa broke the pair by bowling Babar for 37 runs. After that, Nama Kamran Ghulam's (5) innings lasted just 6 balls. If Salman Agao (12) returns quickly, the danger increases for the visitors. They could not control the innings anymore when captain Rizwan returned to Labuschenne for the maximum 44 runs. 203 runs lost all wickets in 46.4 overs. Losing eight wickets for 175 runs, Pakistan's score crossed the 200 mark thanks to Naseem Shah's innings of 40 runs towards the tail.
Mitchell Starc took three wickets for 33 runs for Pakistan. He is also the man of the match. Pat Cummins took two for 39 runs. Adam Zampa also took two wickets for 64 runs. Abbott and Marnus Labuchen took one shot each.
