Teams Status
Pakistan
Pakistan were super bad in all the facets of the game in the first ODI. Their bowling unit was missing ace pacer Shaheen Afridi and without him the pace battery looked toothless to put it lightly.
Debutant Mohammad Wasim Jr was treated to a baptism of fire as he went wicketless and conceded 59 runs in his 8 overs, proving to be the most expensive of Pakistan bowlers. The other debutant, Zahid Mahmood, was also expensive but at least picked up two wickets.
During the run chase, Pakistan were doing well at 120 for 1 when they suffered an all too familiar meltdown. Imam-ul-Haq got his century and Babar Azam got his half century but the rest of the batting line-up did next to nothing. A mere 225 runs for a side enjoying home conditions and facing second string Aussie side was disappointing to put it lightly.
It is such displays why Pakistan languish in 11th place in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League standings.
Australia
Already without a number of their superstars, Australia were given more setbacks in the build up to the first ODI as they lost Ashton Agar as well as Mitchell Marsh.
But the next man up philosophy of the Aussies took center stage and Travis Head gave them such a headstart that they made Pakistan play catch up for the rest of the day.
Head’s century powered them to a total past 300 and then in the other innings it was Adam Zampa’s turn to impress. Generally, Pakistanis are thought of as excellent players of spin but against Zampa they looked feeble as he finished with a four-for.
Australia sit fourth in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League standings with 70 points to their name. A sweep here could help them climb up the ladder.
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