The commentary is not available for this match. Please check the scorecard for latest updates.
That's that then from the MCG (or the G) as Australia takes an early series lead. Both teams will now square off at the Adelaide Oval later this Friday and that contest will be one to watch! This is me, Lavil Saldanha alongside Rudransh Khurrana signing off. Do check Sportskeeda for the latest news in the world of sports. Till then, take care and keep following us! SEE YA!
Pat Cummins (captain, Australia): Tonight we got it done, prefer sitting in the dressing room and watching it. Really happy with how the guys bowled, everyone did their roles well and 200 was a great total. Trying to keep it interesting, Marnus is always chirping. We always have a chance in ODIs to work around the bowlers. For three quarters, we were really good. We were trying to play aggressive but it doesn't always pay off. We were trying to find crucial partnerships as well.
Mohammad Rizwan (captain, Pakistan): We decide the situation and the condition doesn't matter. We need to go out there and fight to secure the win. It was good, we are going to learn from these types of games. The players know that I am a very busy captain. We have always seen great support from the fans. Haris Rauf bowled well, the execution was great from all four bowlers. We missed a few chances and luck was on their side.
Mitchell Starc is the Player of the Match for his 3/33, here's what he has to say: It's always nice to start the summer off positively with the group. We know powerplay wickets are the way to go in ODIs sometimes. The match swung away at the end, maybe it was a bit sloppy from us in the field too but we got the job done. We still thought it was under par. The guys started really well with the bat. It's a very big summer with a Test series and a few more white-ball games. Always excited to get the red ball back in my hand.
10:30 pm local time, 4:00 pm IST - Australia beat Pakistan by 2 wickets and take a 1-0 series lead
Mohammad Rizwan: 44(71b) | Mitchell Starc: 3/33 (10 overs) Josh Inglis: 49(42b) | Haris Rauf: 3/67 (9 overs)
That was a close shave for Australia. Chasing 204 should have been easier than expected but Pakistan punched and punched hard. Perseverance by the Aussie skipper Pat Cummins in the end ensured that he saw his side over the line and helped them register an early series lead.
Pakistan started well. Fraser-McGurk hit a few good shots against Naseem and Short tried to back that up against Shaheen and lost his wicket. Smith came and tried to play in his usual steady tempo but Fraser-McGurk continued his way against Naseem and the pacer managed to prize him out.
Post-powerplay, Pakistan gambled with two strike bowlers -- Hasnain and Rauf -- though their loose deliveries in attempts to take wickets only allowed Smith and Inglis' partnership to foster. Smith, in particular, looked in flawless touch, until a mistimed cut against Rauf landed in the hands of a backward square leg.
Josh Inglis looked as if he was going great guns until he was caught in the deep. Post that, it spiralled a bit as the hosts lost their wickets at regular intervals. Maxwell, the big show, was a no-show today as he was dismissed on the very first ball. But then, Cummins stitched handy partnerships alongside Sean Abbott first and then Mitchell Starc as he led the side home and won the opening game.
A fine fine effort with the ball in hand for Pakistan but in the end it wasn't meant to be for them. Haris changes the complexion of the game with three quick wickets, with Hasnain, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah also chipping in with the wickets. Let's now go down to the presentation to see what the captains and the Player of the Match have to say.
Steven Smith: They were doing it alright in the middle, banging it short. We kept taking it on and failing!. No, it was a bit of a brain fade from me. Patty did really well. The was a little bit too paced. Some balls were stopping and some were skidding on. Not the easiest wicket to bat on. Inglis is in good touch. I felt good out there too, moving nicely and the balance was right. We were joking about him (Cummins) getting his eyes done. The new eyes seem to be working!
33.3 Haris Rauf to Pat Cummins, AND CUMMINS WINS IT! Captain do-it-all trumps over Rizwan in his first match at the helm of Pakistan's ODI side. Australia go 1-0 up. Short of length wide outside off, Cummins follows it with a late punch past point and walks to the other end. The hosts win by two wickets!
33.2 Haris Rauf to Pat Cummins, straight on middle and leg, 132 clicks, Cummins crouches a bit and blocks it
33.1 Haris Rauf to Pat Cummins, FOUR! He uses some of that steel from his nerves to smash it down the ground. Full outside off, eyes light up and thumps the straight drive with power. No chance for anyone
Australia need 5 runs to win, should be a walk in the park here for the Aussie skipper and his pace bowling partner here
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Melbourne Cricket Ground
