PAK vs AUS Highlights, 1st ODI: Pakistan win by 5 wickets

Adios - That wraps up a fairly one-sided contest, with Pakistan drawing first blood in the series. The action now shifts from Rawalpindi to Lahore's iconic Gaddafi Stadium, where the Men in Green will be aiming to wrap up the series, while Australia will be eager to bounce back and level things up. The second ODI is scheduled for Tuesday, 2nd June, at 11.30 pm GMT. As always, do join us ahead of the game for all the build-up and pre-match coverage. Until then, goodbye and take care!

The victorious skipper of Pakistan - Shaheen Afridi says the plan was always to bowl first, pointing to a practice match ahead of the series where the ball was gripping sharply for the spinners early on and was coming nicely under the lights as well. About Minhas' dream debut, he then shares a warm moment, saying he spotted Arafat Minhas' parents in the stands making videos of their son. Expresses that it made him really happy. He says he understands exactly what parents feel watching their child make a debut. On Ghazi Ghori's knock, Shaheen mentions that his preparation has been very good, calling him a quality player of both spin and pace, and signs off by saying the future looks bright for Pakistan with talents like him coming through.

The captain of Australia - Josh Inglis, on the total, concedes that it was probably not enough, noting that they were put in on a surface that offered the spinners some assistance. He feels the team made a real fist of it in the second innings and made Pakistan work hard, but looking back, another 30 or 40 runs could have made it a very different game. On the spinners, Inglis is full of praise for Tanveer Sangha and Kuhnemann, saying they were outstanding in the way they varied their pace, adjusted their fields and stuck to their plans, making Pakistan work hard for every run. About the younger players stepping up in the absence of seniors, he calls it one of the positives to take away, saying they responded well to the opportunity, particularly with the ball. And then, with a smile, he addresses the tips he has been receiving from Marnus Labuschagne, who has a pretty good PSL experience to draw on. He says he has had plenty of information from Marnus so far on this tour, and jokes that perhaps less would be more. He then shifts focus to what lies ahead, saying he is looking forward to heading to Lahore and expects a very good wicket down there.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH - Undoubtedly, Arafat Minhas wins the award for his fifer on debut. He also played a cameo of unbeaten 18 runs and hit the winning runs as well. About whether there was any pressure in his debut game, Minhas admits that there is always some pressure, but adds that his confidence from the PSL experience helped him a lot. He says he simply tried to soak in the environment and enjoy the occasion, adding that the basics never change regardless of conditions. Credits the pre-series camp in Lahore for giving the squad the preparation edge they needed. On his father watching from the sidelines, Minhas says it must have been a proud moment for him, as playing for Pakistan was his father's dream too, and he is certain he (his father) enjoyed every bit of it.

Presentation Time...

Not enough runs to defend - Australia gave it everything they had but simply did not have enough runs on the board to truly challenge Pakistan. That said, taking the game beyond 40 overs is a positive they can carry into the remaining matches, especially in unfamiliar conditions. The spin duo of Matthew Kuhnemann and Tanveer Sangha struck early to give Australia some hope, but they were unable to build sustained pressure. A crucial partnership in the middle overs effectively took the game away from them. Nathan Ellis managed to remove both set batters, while Marnus Labuschagne chipped in with a wicket late on, but by then the result was all but decided. Defending a total of 200 was always going to be a tough task, and Australia ultimately fell short.

Arafat Minhas stars on dream debut - Earlier in the game, Australia had no answers to Pakistan's spin attack and were bundled out for a modest 200. The only real resistance came from Matthew Short and Matt Renshaw, who both battled hard for gritty half-centuries, while the rest of the batting line-up struggled to get going on a challenging surface. For Pakistan, debutant Arafat Minhas stole the show with a sensational five-wicket haul. Abrar Ahmed picked up a couple of wickets, while Salman Agha, Shaheen Afridi, and Haris Rauf chipped in with one each to complete a superb all-round bowling performance.

Hosts ease to the finish line - Despite losing an early wicket, Pakistan never seemed under any real pressure during the chase. While the openers failed to make a significant impact, Babar Azam anchored the innings beautifully with his experience. He took his time to settle into the conditions before putting together a crucial 127-run partnership with Ghazi Ghori. Both batters brought up well-crafted half-centuries but were dismissed in the 60s. Their stand had already taken Pakistan within touching distance of the target, and Arafat Minhas completed the job comfortably without any late drama, fittingly hitting the winning runs on his memorable debut.

Pakistan draw first blood - Pakistan take a 1-0 lead in the series with a commanding all-round display. It was a thoroughly professional performance from the hosts, who outplayed Australia in every department. The Men in Green were simply too good in this series opener, with both bat and ball firing at the right moments. Australia, meanwhile, have plenty to ponder and will need a much-improved showing in the remaining matches if they are to turn the series around.

Marnus Labuschagne to Arafat Minhas, SIX! Minhas finishes off in style. A dominant, all-round performance from the hosts, who outplayed Australia in every department. And the timing could not have been more perfect, as this victory comes in Pakistan's 1000th ODI, making it a lot more special. A pretty poetic end to the game, as Minhas picked up a five-for with the ball, and hit the winning runs as well, quite fittingly to end a very memorable ODI debut for him. Flatter, on off, Arafat Minhas stays in his crease, gets a bit crouched and powers it downtown and over long on for a biggie.

Marnus Labuschagne to Abdul Samad, A full toss, on off, Abdul Samad drills it to mid off. A misfield allows the batters to collect a single.

Abdul Samad is the new batter in for Pakistan, at number 7. Just a matter of a hit, then. Let's see who hits the winning runs.

Marnus Labuschagne to Salman Agha, OUT! LBW! Marnus Labuschagne gets a wicket upon his return. He bowls it straight, targeting the stumps on a fuller length. Salman Agha gets low and looks to sweep it, but plays all over it and misses. The ball goes on to strike his pads. A loud appeal goes about for LBW, and the finger goes up almost instantly. Salman Agha does not bother to refer to this one as it looks dead straight. He walks back with Pakistan needing just 6 runs to win.

Marnus Labuschagne is brought back on. 1-0-8-0 so far.

Matt Renshaw to Arafat Minhas, FOUR! Spoils the over! Matt Renshaw errs his line down leg, Arafat Minhas gets low and sweeps it past short fine leg for a boundary. Just 6 runs needed now.

Matt Renshaw to Arafat Minhas, Quicker, on off, Arafat Minhas eases it to the right of the bowler.

Matt Renshaw to Arafat Minhas, Slows it up, on leg, Arafat Minhas blocks it to the left of the bowler.

Matt Renshaw to Arafat Minhas, Fired in, on leg, Arafat Minhas blocks it to the on side.

Matt Renshaw to Arafat Minhas, Too full, on off, Arafat Minhas digs it back to the bowler.

Matt Renshaw to Arafat Minhas, Nice and full, on leg, Arafat Minhas flicks it towards the mid-wicket fielder.

Nathan Ellis to Salman Agha, Hard length, on middle, Salman Agha flicks it to mid-wicket.

Nathan Ellis to Salman Agha, That would have been close if Josh Inglis had collected the ball cleanly. Hard length, on middle and leg, Salman Agha works it through mid-wicket and calls for two. Salman is struggling to get back for the second and seeing that, the fielder throws it towards Josh Inglis, who fails to collect the ball and dislodges the stumps with his gloves. 

Nathan Ellis to Salman Agha, FOUR! Beautiful shot to get off the mark! Nathan Ellis goes full, on middle and leg, Salman Agha leans on and flicks it in the gap through mid-wicket for a boundary.

The next batter in is Salman Agha.

Nathan Ellis to Ghazi Ghori, OUT! LBW! Ellis has his second wicket, which ends Ghazi's excellent knock. He is gutted that he couldn't get the job done for his team. A slower one, on a length, on leg, and it keeps low. Ghazi Ghori stays back and looks to pull it, but is months early and misses to connect, wearing it on his pads. The Aussies appeal as one for LBW and the finger goes up straightaway. Ghazi Ghori goes upstairs to have a check. UltraEdge shows a flat line, and Ball Tracking shows three reds with the ball crashing into the leg stump. The on-field decision stands. Pakistan are 185/4, and they just need 16 runs now.

Nathan Ellis to Arafat Minhas, Back of a length, on off, Arafat Minhas punches it to point for a single.

Nathan Ellis to Arafat Minhas, FOUR! Arafat Minhas looks in a hurry now! Good length, just outside off, Arafat Minhas stays back and pumps it over the left of the bowler for a boundary down the ground.

Powerplay 3! Australia are now allowed to have a maximum of 5 fielders outside the inner ring for the rest of the innings. Pakistan are at an arm's distance from taking the lead in the series. They need 21 runs to win from 60 balls. Nathan Ellis (6-0-34-1) continues.

Matthew Kuhnemann to Arafat Minhas, Flatter, full and on middle, Arafat Minhas works it through squae leg for one.

Matthew Kuhnemann to Ghazi Ghori, Drags his length back, on off, Ghazi Ghori guides it towards point and sets off for the run. He has to put in a dive but the throw needed to be better.

Matthew Kuhnemann to Ghazi Ghori, Short again and on off, turns away, Ghazi Ghori pushes it towards cover.

Matthew Kuhnemann to Arafat Minhas, A bit short and on middle, turns in, Arafat Minhas clips it through square leg for a single.

Matthew Kuhnemann to Arafat Minhas, Flighted, full and on middle, Arafat Minhas turns it to the leg side.

Matthew Kuhnemann to Arafat Minhas, Floated, full and on middle, Arafat Minhas tucks it to short mid-wicket.

Change? Nah. Matthew Kuhnemann (9-1-26-1) will bowl out.

Nathan Ellis to Arafat Minhas, Short of a length and outside off, Arafat Minhas cuts it away to deep point for one.

Nathan Ellis to Arafat Minhas, A low full toss around off, Arafat Minhas drills it straight to short cover.

Nathan Ellis to Arafat Minhas, Pitched up and on middle, Arafat Minhas knocks it back to the bowler.

Nathan Ellis to Arafat Minhas, Fuller and on middle and leg, Arafat Minhas turns it to the leg side.

The 127-run partnership is finally broken. But it's kind of too little, too late for Australia at this point. Arafat Minhas, the debutant and the star with the ball earlier, walks in at number 5.

Nathan Ellis to Babar Azam, OUT! CASTLED! Nathan Ellis strikes but that won't matter much here. He bowls the off-cutter, lands this on a good length around off, and gets it to nip back in very sharply, but the ball keeps very low. Babar Azam gets stuck in his crease and looks to cut it away, but gets cramped for room and misses it, and the ball goes through to rattle the stumps. Babar is undone by the lack of bounce and has a smile on his face, but has to walk back after playing a fine knock for his country. Pakistan are 176/3, needing just 25 more runs to win.

Nathan Ellis to Ghazi Ghori, Back of a length and on off, Ghazi Ghori runs it to deep third for a single.

Pakistan need 26 runs to win from 72 balls. And Nathan Ellis (5-0-32-0) is back on, replacing Marnus Labuschagne.

Matthew Kuhnemann to Ghazi Ghori, A bit short and around off, Ghazi Ghori pushes it towards short cover for one.

Matthew Kuhnemann to Ghazi Ghori, FOUR! Excellent shot! A half-tracker, on middle, Ghazi Ghori rocks back and heaves it away to the deep mid-wicket fence for a boundary.

Matthew Kuhnemann to Ghazi Ghori, Slower through the air, full and on middle, Ghazi Ghori fends it away.

Matthew Kuhnemann to Babar Azam, Dragged down, around off, turns away and keeps low, Babar Azam forces it down to long on for another run.

Matthew Kuhnemann to Ghazi Ghori, Flighted, full and on middle, Ghazi Ghori eases it to long on for a run.

Matthew Kuhnemann to Ghazi Ghori, Lovely bowling! Floated, short and on off, turns away with bounce, Ghazi Ghori moves back to play but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Matthew Kuhnemann (8-1-19-1) replaces Tanveer Sangha. Pakistan need 33 runs from 78 balls.