Pakistan batting line limps as half team departs for 101

Pakistan batting line struggled since the start of play as both openers Saim Ayub (1), Abdullah Shafique (12) departed early in the first ODI against Australia.

Babar Azam looked in good touch for 37 runs before getting bowled by a fuller length delivery by Adam Zampa.

Kamran Ghulam scored five runs, while Salman Agha scored 12 runs. Skipper Mohammad Rizwan was the top scorer with 44 runs. Pakistan had lost seven wickets for 148 runs.

Australia won the toss and decided to bowl first against Pakistan in the opening ODI match.

The game is being held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, setting the stage for an exciting encounter between the two teams.

Both teams have faced each other in 108 games. Out of these, Australia has won 70 matches while Pakistan has won 34 games. One match ended in a draw while 3 ended with no result.

The hosts also have an upper hand at Melbourne Cricket Ground, winning 10 games out of 14 and losing only 4.

Pakistan XI

Abdullah Shafiq, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Muhammad Rizwan (captain and wicket-keeper), Kamran Ghulam, Salman Ali Agha, Irfan Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and Muhammad Hasnain.

Australia XI

Matt Short, Jake Fraser McGurk, Steve Smith, Josh Inglis (wicket-keeper), Marnus Labuschagne, Aaron Hardie, Glenn Maxwell, Sean Abbot, Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Starc, and Adam Zampa.