[Watch] Irfan Khan takes stunning catch after previous effort ends in vain during Australia vs Pakistan 1st ODI
Pakistan’s Irfan Khan took a stunning catch to dismiss dangerous-looking Josh Inglis in the first of the three-match ODI series against Australia in Melbourne on Monday, November 4.
The stunner took off the next delivery after his valiant effort ended in vain off the previous ball, where Inglis was awarded a six since Irfan took off from the boundary skirting. The wicketkeeper-batter walked back for 49 runs off 42 balls, a knock laced with three sixes and four boundaries.
The dismissal came in the 20th over of Australia’s run-chase. Shaheen Afridi banged in a short delivery and Inglis went for another pull shot in the same direction. Irfan made good ground to his left before completing the catch while sliding on his knees.
Watch the video below:
Australia beat Pakistan by two wickets in a nail-biter
A clinical all-round show helped Australia beat Pakistan by two wickets in a nail-biter. Apart from Inglis, Steve Smith also chipped in with 44 off 46. Meanwhile, skipper Pat Cummins stayed unbeaten on 32 off 31 to take the team over the line. The hosts chased down the target with 16.3 overs to spare.
Haris Rauf emerged as the leading wicket-taker for the Men in Green, picking up three wickets, while Shaheen Afridi bagged two.
Batting first, the tourists put up 203. Mohammad Rizwan top-scored for the visitors on his captaincy debut. The wicketkeeper-batter scored 44 runs off 71 deliveries, hitting one six and two boundaries. Naseem Shah and Babar Azam also chipped in with scores of 40 (39) and 37 (44), respectively.
Mitchell Starc starred with the ball for Australia, returning with figures of 3/33 including three maidens. Pat Cummins and Adam Zampa also chipped in with two wickets apiece. Sean Abbott and Marnus Labuschage also bagged one wicket apiece.
The two teams will next lock horns in the second ODI in Adelaide on Friday, November 8. Pakistan are yet to win an ODI series in Australia since 2002. They must win the next match to level the series 1-1. The Aussies had won the previous series by 4-1 in 2017/18.