Arafat Minhas makes history on ODI debut as Pakistan beat Australia in 1,000th match

Pakistan beat Australia by five wickets in the first ODI in Rawalpindi on Saturday, with debutant Arafat Minhas taking 5-32 to dismiss an under-strength Australia for 200. Pakistan chased the target in 42.3 overs in their 1,000th ODI, a milestone made all the more memorable by Minhas's historic performance.

Who is Arafat Minhas and what record did he set on debut?

Arafat Minhas became the first Pakistani bowler to take five wickets on ODI debut, finishing with figures of 5-32 in 10 overs. The spinner used guile and accuracy to dismantle Australia's middle order, removing stand-in skipper Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Matthew Short and Nathan Ellis across his spell.

How did Australia's batting collapse unfold?

Australia, sent in to bat, made a steady start before Abrar Ahmed broke the opening stand of 34 by dismissing Alex Carey for 19. Minhas then took control, removing Inglis and Labuschagne in his fourth over and adding Green for a third-ball duck in his next. At 68-4, Australia were in serious trouble on the dry, spin-assisting Pindi Stadium pitch.

Matthew Short and Matthew Renshaw steadied Australia with a fifth-wicket stand of 55. Short scored 55 from 76 balls, hitting six boundaries in his fourth ODI half-century, while Renshaw made a career-best 61 from 63 balls, including five boundaries and a six. Minhas broke the stand by having Short stumped, and Abrar returned to remove Renshaw before Minhas completed his five-wicket haul with the wicket of Ellis.

How did Pakistan chase down the target?

Babar Azam and Ghazi Ghori anchored the chase after Sahibzada Farhan (28) and Maaz Sadaqat (8) fell with the score at 49. Azam scored 69 from 94 balls, hitting four boundaries and a six, while Ghori contributed 65 from 92 balls with eight boundaries. The pair added 127 for the third wicket to put Pakistan firmly in control.

Both Azam and Ghori fell to pacer Nathan Ellis, but with only 16 runs needed, the damage was done. Minhas provided a fitting finale, hitting a six to seal the victory and complete a memorable personal and team milestone.

Why were Australia missing key players?

Australia travelled to Pakistan without several first-choice players. Regular skipper Pat Cummins, fast bowlers Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, and opener Travis Head were all absent. The inexperienced touring attack struggled to match Pakistan's spinners on a pitch that heavily favoured slow bowling, with eight of Australia's wickets falling to spin.

The series continues with the second and third ODIs in Lahore on Tuesday and Thursday.