RAWALPINDI: Pakistan defeated Australia by five wickets in the first One Day International, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Batting first, Australia were bowled out for 200 runs in 44.1 overs. In reply, Pakistan successfully chased the 201-run target in the 43rd over.
Babar Azam led the innings with a composed 69 runs off 94 balls, while Ghazi Ghori contributed 65 runs. Other notable contributions came from Sahibzada Farhan (28) and Arafat Minhas (18 not out), who helped steer the team to victory.
For Australia, Matt Renshaw scored 61 runs and Matthew Short added 55. On the bowling side, Pakistan’s Arafat Minhas impressed with five wickets, while Abrar Ahmed claimed two. Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Salman Ali Agha picked up one wicket each.
The second ODI of the series will be played on June 2 in Lahore.
