Canberra: The Australian cricket team secured a thrilling 2-wicket victory against Pakistan in the first match of their three-match ODI series.

Pakistan set a target of 204 runs, which Australia successfully chased down, losing 8 wickets in the process, achieving the target in the final overs.New Zealand has whitewashed India

Pakistan began their innings with Saeem Ayub dismissed for just 1 run, bowled by Mitchell Starc. Following the early loss, Abdullah Shafique also fell at a total score of 24, scoring 12 runs.

After the fall of two wickets, captain Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam formed a 39-run partnership, but Babar was dismissed for 37 runs, bowled by Adam Zampa.

Kamran Ghulam and Salman Ali Agha contributed with scores of 5 and 12 runs, respectively, before losing their wickets. Captain Mohammad Rizwan fought hard, scoring 44 runs, but ultimately fell to a catch off the bowling of Marnus Labuschagne.

Shaheen Afridi adopted an aggressive approach, hitting 3 fours and a six for a quick 24 runs off 19 balls, before being bowled by Mitchell Starc at a total of 148.

Chasing the target, Australia’s innings began with Matthew Short dismissed for 19, and opener Jack Fraser falling for 16, leaving the score at 28.

A strong partnership of 85 runs between Steve Smith and Josh Inglis helped stabilize the innings. However, Smith was out for 44 runs at a total of 113, followed by Inglis who scored 49 runs before getting out at a score of 139.

The dismissal of both batsmen caused a collapse in the Australian lineup, with Marnus Labuschagne scoring 16 and Glenn Maxwell returning to the pavilion without scoring.

Aaron Hardy contributed 10 runs before being bowled by Mohammad Hasnain. Fast bowler Haris Rauf claimed 3 wickets, while Shaheen Afridi took 2 and Naseem Shah added 1 wicket to his tally.