PAK vs AUS: Five star Arafat Minhas shines on debut, sets up five-wicket win for Pakistan

Pakistan took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series against Australia with a commanding five-wicket win in the first ODI on Saturday, May 30 at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi. After being put in to bat first, Australia were skittled for 200 in 44.1 overs, despite half-centuries from Matt Renshaw (61 off 63) and Matthew Short (55 off 76).

Arafat Minhas was the pick of the bowlers for the hosts with a five-wicket haul on debut, while Abrar Ahmed (2/44) also chipped in with two wickets. In reply, Pakistan chased down the target in 42.3 overs with Babar Azam and Ghaza Ghori (65 off 92) leading with their respective half-centuries.

Nathan Ellis (2/45, 7 overs) scalped two wickets for Australia, removing both set batters in back-to-back overs, but it was too late as Babar and Ghori had almost sealed the victory with their 127-run stand for the third wicket off 156 balls. The duo got together at the crease after Maaz Sadaqat (8 off 14) and Sahibzada Farhan (28 off 33) returned to the pavilion early, leaving Pakistan on 49/2 in 12.2 overs.

Meanwhile, the two teams will next face off in the second ODI on Tuesday, June 2, at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

Top run-scorer of the Match

Top wicket-taker of the Match

Player of the Match

Arafat Minhas was adjudged Player of the Match after running through Australia with a menacing spell on debut. The 21-year-old brought the Aussies down to their knees, first reducing them to 68/4 in 15.2 overs. The left-arm spinner got the big wickets of Josh Inglis (13 off 22), Marnus Labuschagne (0 off 2) and Cameron Green (0 off 3). 

He later returned to end a 55-run stand between Matt Renshaw and Matthew Short for the fifth wicket, by getting rid of the latter. Minhas further shattered Nathan Smith's stumps to complete his five-wicket haul on debut, finishing with figures of 5/32 in ten overs. He also scored an unbeaten 18* (17), finishing the game with a six.

Turning Point

Matthew Short and Matt Renshaw threatened to take the game away from Pakistan as they added 55 runs off 65 balls for the fifth wicket. However, Minhas got Short stumped in the 27^th over, which ensured that Australia couldn’t cross the 200-run mark.

What did the captains say:

Winning Captain, Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan):  

Our plan was to bowl first. Had played a practice match earlier and the ball was coming on nicely under lights. Very happy for him (Arafat Minhas). Was watching his parents making videos of their son. Made me happy and it reminded me of my own debut and the sheer joy my family felt when I first played. I can certainly relate to that feeling. He played well even during his debut against Bangladesh (Ghazi). His preparation was good coming into this series. He's a good player of spin and pace. Future is bright for Pakistan with players like him.

Losing Captain, Josh Inglis (Australia):

Made a good fist of it in the second innings. 30-40 more would've been interesting. I thought Tanveer and Kuhnemann were outstanding. They changed their pace beautifully and made them work hard for the runs. Have had a lot of information from Marnus so far on this tour. Less of that the better I think.