Debutant Minhas spins out Australia as Pakistan canter to win: 1st ODI (Rawalpindi)

Pakistan made a winning start to the ODI series against Australia with a five-wicket victory in Rawalpindi, taking a 1–0 lead.

After choosing to field, Pakistan bowled Australia out for 200 in 44.1 overs, with young spinner Arafat Minhas producing a brilliant 5/32 on debut. Australia recovered from 68/4 thanks to Matt Renshaw’s 61 and Matthew Short’s 55, but regular wickets prevented them from building a more substantial total.

Chasing 201, Pakistan reached 202/5 in 42.3 overs with 45 balls to spare. Babar Azam anchored the innings with 69, while Ghazi Ghori scored an impressive 65, the pair adding a crucial partnership that put the hosts in control.

Minhas capped a memorable all-round performance by seeing Pakistan home and was named Player of the Match as Pakistan celebrated a comfortable win in their 1,000th ODI.

Pakistan 202 for 5 (Babar 69, Ghori 65) beat Australia 200 (Renshaw 61, Short 55, Minhas 5-32) by five wickets.

May 2026.