Australia's Pat Cummins was the hero of the opening ODI against Pakistan, taking two crucial wickets with the ball and finishing unbeaten on 32 with the bat to help his team secure a two-wicket victory. After bowling out Pakistan for 203, Australia stumbled in their run chase, but Cummins held his nerve to push them past the modest target with 16.3 overs to spare. Mitchell Starc also played a crucial role, taking 3-33 with the ball to restrict Pakistan's attempts to set a larger total.
Australia Triumphs over Pakistan in Thrilling ODI Opener
In a nail-biting contest, Australia emerged victorious in the opening ODI against Pakistan on March 23, 2023, at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Led by Pat Cummins' all-around performance, the visitors chased down a modest target of 204 with just over 16 overs to spare.
Match Summary
After winning the toss and opting to bat first, Pakistan was dismissed for a mere 203 in 46.1 overs. Mohammad Rizwan top-scored with 67, while Imam-ul-Haq contributed 42. Australia's Mitchell Starc was the star with the ball, claiming 3-33.
Australia's chase got off to a shaky start as they lost three wickets for just 59 runs. However, Cummins came to the rescue, anchoring the innings with a crucial 32* off 50 balls. He was ably supported by Cameron Green (28) and Matthew Wade (23).
Cummins' Heroics
Cummins proved to be the match-winner for Australia. With the ball, he claimed two crucial wickets of Babar Azam and Rizwan in quick succession. His tight bowling helped restrict Pakistan's scoring and build pressure on the hosts.
Batting at number seven, Cummins played a pivotal role in guiding Australia to victory. His calm and composed knock ensured that his team did not lose wickets in the closing stages of the chase.
Key Performers
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