PAK vs AUS: Australia put on a brilliant all round performance in the first ODI against Pakistan on Tuesday. Aussies beat Pakistan by 88 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the series. Riding on an outstanding century from Travis Head, Australia notched a mammoth score of 313 runs in the first innings. Travis Head set the tone with a sensational 101-run knock of 72 balls.
In-form Ben McDermott also made a valuable contribution of 55 runs in 70 balls, while Chris Green made a crucial 40 in 30 balls. As for Pakistan, Haris Rauf was the pick of the bowlers. He returned with figures of 2 for 44 runs in 8 overs. Zahid Mahmood also picked two wickets but went for 59 runs in his 10 overs.
Chasing a big total, Pakistan lost Fakhar Zaman (18 off 18) early in the fifth over. However, Imam Ul Haq then stitched an outstanding 96-run partnership for the second wicket to keep them in the chase. Imam Ul Haq went on to score 103 runs in 96 balls, while Babar Azam managed to score 57 runs in 72 balls.
Things were going pretty well till the time these two were playing at the crease. However, once Babar Azam got out, wickets fell in quick succession. Pakistan, as a result, lost half of their side for 166 runs. Imam Ul Haq, eventually, got out in the 39th over and it was all but over for Pakistan after that.
The Men in Green were eventually bundled out for 225 runs in the second innings, thereby falling 88 runs short of the target. Spinners were brilliant for Australia. Adam Zampa was the pick of the bowlers as he picked four wickets for just 38 runs in 10 overs, while the likes of Mitchell Swepson and Travis Head claimed two apiece.
The second ODI is slated to be played on Thursday at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
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