Arafat Minhas Shatters Australia on Debut as Aus 1st Innings Ends in Complete Collapse In Pak vs Aus 1st ODI

RAWALPINDI: A masterclass in spin bowling spearheaded by ODI debutant Arafat Minhas completely dismantled the visiting Australian batting lineup. He left the tourists bundled out for a modest 200 runs in 44.1 overs during the first innings of the opening One Day International at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

Toss and Early Break-throughs

Opting to bowl first in Pak vs Aus 1st ODI, skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi deployed a lethal combination of disciplined pace and aggressive spin. The decision paid immediate dividends on a dry, turning surface under the Rawalpindi lights. Australia, missing key senior figures including regular captain Mitchell Marsh and pacemen Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, fielded a highly experimental side led by stand-in captain Josh Inglis.

Despite losing early wickets, the visitors mounted a slight recovery through steady half-centuries from Matt Renshaw (61) and opening batter Matt Short (55). The duo showed excellent initial temperament to navigate the opening spells, setting what looked like a solid foundation for a competitive first-innings total.

Minhas Directs a Middle-Order Collapse

However, the momentum shifted irreversibly when 21-year-old debutant all-rounder Arafat Minhas was introduced into the attack. Turning the ball sharply off the pitch, Minhas tore through the heart of the Australian middle order with incredible precision and composure. He dismissed Matt Short just as the opener looked to accelerate, triggering a catastrophic collapse.

Minhas finished his spectacular debut spell with majestic figures of 5 for 32, making him the standout star of the afternoon. He was brilliantly supported from the opposite end by mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed, who bamboozled the lower order to finish with a clinical return of 2 for 44.

Aus 1st Innings Ended With Disappointment 

Australia's lower order offered very little resistance under the mounting pressure from Pakistan's spin twins. From a relatively comfortable position, the visitors lost their final six wickets for fewer than fifty runs, entirely failing to last their allocated 50 overs.The return of experienced leg-spinner Shadab Khan kept the fielding side immensely sharp. Australia was eventually bowled all out with 35 deliveries left empty in their innings.

The Target for Pakistan

With the pitch showing clear signs of variable bounce and dramatic turn, Pakistan's batsmen face a tactical chase to lock down the opening game of this three-match bilateral series. Chasing a target of 201 runs for victory, all eyes will look toward a returning Babar Azam to steady the top order on a surface heavily favoring the slower bowlers.