Australia beat Pakistan by 2 wickets in a close contest in the first ODI on Monday (November 4) at the MCG. Excellent spell from Mitchell Starc, who picked up three wickets, Pat Cummins and Adam Zampa shared two each to help Aussies restrict Pakistan to a modest 203 runs. In reply, Pat Cummins played another clutch innings to take Australia home.

Opting to bowl first, Mitchell Starc started off to a flier, knocking Saim Ayub over and then had Abdullah Shafique as well. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, however stitched a partnership. Babar looked solid and played some delightful shots before Adam Zampa kncoked him over. Pat Cummins' short bowl had Kamran Ghulam. While Sean Abbott removed Agha Salman.

Pakistan were struggling on 117-6. Naseem Shah showed a rear guard and played a terrific knock under immense pressure, scoring 40 off 39 balls to help Pakistan get over 200.

In reply, Australia lost their new opening duo of Matthew Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk earlier on. But Steve Smith and Josh Inglis firmly stood tall on the crease, stitching up a crucial 85-run partnership to uplift Australia. However, Haris Rauf removed Smith on 44, and Josh Inglis too departed soon after on 49.

Australia lost the plot after the departure of both Smith and Inglis. Haris Rauf steemed in and bowled superbly to ran riot through the Aussies middle order. Australia faltered to 155-7 and needing of 48 runs.

Pat Cummins stood tall and played some soothing shots, scoring a terrific 32* off 31 balls to help his side script a victory of 2 wickets.