Australia vs Pakistan, 1st ODI at Melbourne,AUS vs PAK, Nov 04 2024 - Match Result

Australia win by two wickets in a rather crazy game to get things under way. The highlight was that burst from Haris Rauf which blew the game open after Australia appeared to be cruising. Some questionable shot selection from the home side until Pat Cummins provided a calm head. Pakistan will rue their batting display where they could only make 203 and it was nearly enough. Steve Smith, on broadcast, says the surface wasn't the easiest, some balls stopping. "I felt good out there," Smith says, "felt balanced." We'll bring you the presentations shortly.

Mitch Starc is player of the match: "It's always nice to start the summer off in a positive stay. We are looking for powerplay wickets. Think it was a really positive effort with the ball...then we got the job done. Maybe a little sloppy from us in the field. Certainly thought it was below par. It's a very big summer, but five more white-ball games before that."

Mohammad Rizwan "I think we did very well. What we decided as a bowling group was not to have any fifth or sixth bowlers because the game was never going to go to 50 overs. We missed a few chances and the luck was with Australia, so congratulations to them. It's difficult to read anything into this game, the result is in God's hands, but I'm happy with the fight we put up. We have seen a lot of support for Pakistan everywhere in Australia, and we saw that here as well, so I'm very thankful to everyone for coming out."

Pat Cummins "Tonight we got it done, always much prefer sitting in the changing room...got a bit tighter than we'd have liked. Very happy with how the guys bowled. 200 was a great score. Trying to keep it interesting, Marnus is always in my ear so he had to have an over. Think for three quarters of it we were really good, looking to play aggressive and sometimes it won't pay off, but think still room to try and find a couple of partnerships."

Right, on that note I'm going to sign off for today. An entertaining start to the series and we'll be back on Friday for the second game from Adelaide. Until then, from Gnasher and Danyal, it's goodbye and thanks for joining us.

Slip comes in

Naseem leaving the field. Hasnain to bowl.

This might be more than cramp. Holding his left calf. Pakistan have had their second warning for breaching the 60-second mark between overs. One more and it's five runs to Australia.

Eight needed. Will Rauf get another over? Here's Naseem. How's Adam Zampa feeling?

Deep point goes out onto the fence. Rizwan sending fielders everywhere