RAWALPINDI: Debutant Arafat Minhas produced a record-breaking all-round performance to inspire Pakistan to a convincing five-wicket victory over Australia in the opening One-Day International of the three-match series at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
The young all-rounder first ripped through the Australian batting line-up with a superb spell of 5-32 before returning to hit the winning six, capping a memorable debut and helping Pakistan take a 1-0 lead in the series.
Chasing a modest target of 201 on a slow surface, Pakistan reached 202-5 in 42.3 overs, thanks largely to a match-defining 127-run partnership for the third wicket between Babar Azam and Ghazi Ghouri. The duo steadied the innings after an uncertain start and ensured that Arafat’s heroics with the ball did not go in vain.
Babar anchored the chase with a composed 69 off 94 deliveries, striking four boundaries and a six. Though he enjoyed a couple of fortunate escapes, the former captain looked increasingly assured as his innings progressed, guiding Pakistan through the crucial phase of the chase.
Ghazi continued to impress with a mature knock of 65 from 91 balls. The right-hander struck eight boundaries in a fluent and chanceless innings, providing excellent support to Babar as the pair gradually took the game away from the visitors.
When both set batsmen departed, Pakistan still required some finishing touches, and fittingly it was Arafat who completed the job. The left-hander remained unbeaten on 18 and sealed victory with a towering six, drawing loud cheers from the home crowd.
Earlier, Australia failed to build on a promising start after opting to bat. Matt Renshaw top-scored with 61 while Matthew Short contributed 55, but the visitors struggled against Pakistan’s spin attack and were eventually bowled out for 200 in 44.1 overs.
The turning point came when Arafat struck twice in quick succession during his early spell. The breakthrough opened the floodgates as Australia’s middle order crumbled under sustained pressure. The debutant accounted for captain Josh Inglis (13), Matthew Short, Marnus Labuschagne (0), Cameron Green (0) and Nathan Ellis (8), becoming the first Pakistani bowler to claim a five-wicket haul on ODI debut.
Abrar Ahmad provided valuable support from the other end, finishing with 2-44 as Pakistan maintained control throughout the innings.
For Pakistan, the victory carried added significance as it came in the country’s landmark 1,000th ODI appearance. The emergence of Arafat Minhas as a potential match-winner made the occasion even more memorable, with the youngster delivering one of the finest debut performances by a Pakistani cricketer in the 50-over format.
