Pakistan’s fast bowler Naseem Shah was forced to leave the field midway through his over in the first ODI against Australia due to cramps, leaving his team with a challenging task.
Despite the setback, the 21-year-old pacer made an impact with both bat and ball before being replaced by Mohammad Hasnain to complete his over.
Reports say that Shah is showing signs of recovery, with sufficient time left to prepare for the second ODI on November 8.
Naseem, who had been dealing with discomfort throughout the match, conceded 39 runs and took one wicket in his spell.
His contribution with the bat was notable, as he scored 40 runs off 39 balls, including a boundary and four sixes, showcasing his all-round abilities.
However, Pakistan’s efforts were not enough to secure victory, as Australia managed a hard-fought two-wicket win, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Australia, chasing a modest target of 204 runs, initially struggled with regular wickets falling. However, Pat Cummins’ composed 44-run innings anchored the chase, helping Australia reach 204 for 8 in just 34 overs.
Pakistan’s bowlers, particularly Haris Rauf, who took three wickets, and Shaheen Afridi, who claimed two, kept the pressure on, with both Naseem Shah and Mohammad Hasnain contributing with one wicket each.
Despite strong individual performances with the ball, Pakistan’s high count of extras proved costly in the low-scoring contest.
The team conceded 21 extras, including 17 wides and four leg byes, which undermined their efforts to control the game. Skipper Mohammad Rizwan’s pace-heavy strategy did not pay off as Pakistan’s bowlers struggled with accuracy in the field.
With the second ODI scheduled for November 8 in Adelaide, Pakistan will look to level the series as they travel from Melbourne, aiming for a more disciplined performance to challenge Australia’s lead.
