Cummins comes to the rescue as Australia edge past Pakistan in opening ODI – Sports

Skipper Pat Cummins kept cool under pressure to lead Australia to a nervy two-wicket win over Pakistan in the first of three one-day internationals on Monday.

Chasing 204, they reached the target with 99 balls remaining at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and survived a major scare when they lost three wickets in five balls.

“Wonderful game, but it got a little tighter there than I would have liked,” Cummins said.

With Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head on paternity leave, the world champions had a new opening partnership in Jake Fraser-McGurk and Matt Short.

But Short lasted just four balls before hitting Saim Ayub over the edge off Shaheen Shah Afridi, while Fraser-McGurk ran out of luck on the 16th, smacking Naseem Shah to Irfan Khan on middle.

The experienced Steve Smith steadied the ship alongside Josh Inglis. They put on 85 for the third wicket before Smith was undone by Haris Rauf for 44, well caught by Ayub at back point.

Inglis followed for 49, shortly after delivering a big blow to Afridi, which was parried away by Khan on his knees.

And when Rauf removed Marnus Labuschagne (16) and then Glenn Maxwell for a golden duck three balls later, Australia suddenly had 139-6 and the game continued.

Mohammad Hasnain bowled Aaron Hardie (10) and Sean Abbott (13) was guilty of a lazy run-out, leaving the hosts still needing 19 runs and two wickets, with Cummins and Mitchell Starc (two) taking them home.

“Really happy with the way the boys bowled, everyone played their part beautifully,” Cummins added.

“Obviously we have to try and find some partnerships (in the batting line-up).”

Battle

Starc had previously won with 3:33. Pakistan were dismissed for 203.

Newly appointed captain Mohammad Rizwan top-scored with 44, but they struggled with some precision bowling and were bowled out in the 47th over after Australia won the toss and sent them fielding.

“We have to play against teams like this,” Rizwan said. “We decided that we would fight and show courage in every situation.

“Australia was lucky and that’s why they won.”

In Pakistan's first 50-over game since last year's World Cup, Starc made the breakthrough in the third over when Ayub hacked him on the stumps.

That brought Babar Azam into goal after he quit the captaincy last month.

He increased the tempo before Starc struck again, leaving Abdullah Shafique behind for a tame 12.

Azam put on 39 with Rizwan before spinner Adam Zampa came into play and broke the partnership by bowling Azam for 37 with his fourth delivery.

His replacement, Kamran Ghulam, lasted just six balls and was no match for a brutal rebound from Cummins. He beat wicketkeeper Inglis and left Pakistan struggling at 70-4 after 19 overs.

A patient Rizwan played his way in but the wickets continued to fall.

Salman Agha was deftly beaten by Short off Abbott for the 12th leg and Rizwan was then swept away by part-time spinner Labuschagne.

Afridi scored an entertaining 24 but Starc struck again, rattling his middle stump before a late flurry and Shag added a quick 40.