Mon Nov 04 12:44:48 UTC 2024: ## Cummins Stars as Australia Edges Out Pakistan in Tense ODI Opener
**MELBOURNE** – Australia’s captain Pat Cummins once again proved his worth in a batting crisis, guiding the world champions to a thrilling two-wicket victory over Pakistan in the first ODI at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Monday.
Cummins, playing his first ODI since last year’s World Cup, displayed nerves of steel, smashing 32 runs off 31 balls to secure the win with 16.3 overs to spare. This latest display adds to his growing reputation for rescuing Australia from precarious situations, having previously played key roles in Ashes and World Cup victories.
The hosts found themselves in trouble at 155 for seven when Cummins joined the fray, with Pakistan sensing a rare win in Australia and fueled by a three-wicket burst from paceman Haris Rauf. With two wickets remaining and 19 runs needed, Cummins and Mitchell Starc held their nerve, sealing the victory with a final flourish.
Starc, who took three wickets including both Pakistan openers, was named Man of the Match.
Pakistan, making their first ODI appearance since missing the World Cup semi-finals, welcomed back Babar Azam, their former captain, after he was dropped for the second and third tests against England. However, he was dismissed for 37 by legspinner Adam Zampa.
Saim Ayub made his ODI debut for Pakistan alongside Abdullah Shafique, both falling cheaply to Starc. Rizwan top-scored for Pakistan with 44, while Irfan Khan, another ODI debutant, contributed 22 before being run out.
Despite missing four key players from their World Cup winning team, Australia was able to claim victory thanks to Cummins’ heroics. Openers Matt Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk both failed to impress in their bids to replace retired David Warner, while Steve Smith and Josh Inglis put on a respectable 85-run partnership before falling to Pakistan’s pace attack.
Despite a disappointing turnout of 25,800 spectators, the match was a thrilling encounter, with Rauf igniting the terraces with a fiery spell that included dismissing Marnus Labuschagne and Glenn Maxwell in consecutive deliveries.
First Piper 