Australia defeated Pakistan in the first One Day International (ODI of the 5 matches series by 92 runs at Brisbane’s Gabba Stadium on Friday.
Earlier, Australia set 268/9 in the back of crucial sixth wicket partnership of 82 runs by Matthew Wade and Glenn Maxwell.
Pakistan were hamstrung by Azhar Ali, who retired hurt after he lost his opening partner. Pakistan’s were still on course when Babar Azam and Umar Akmal were at the crease, but their game stagnated after the partnership came to an end.
After captain Steve Smith won the toss and decided to bat, Australia was 78-5 before being rescued by the pair. Wade was unbeaten on 100, bringing up his maiden century with a single on the final ball, while all-rounder Maxwell scored 60.
A strong opening spell from Mohammad Amir (2-54) left Australia in trouble. Amir clean-bowled David Warner and then handed Smith his first ODI golden duck in successive deliveries, meaning Chris Lynn would face a hat-trick ball on debut.
He survived, but not for much longer; two overs after sending a Hasan Ali delivery into the grandstand, he misread a slow ball and skied one behind to Mohammad Rizwan.
Lynn, making his 50-overs debut for Australia, has smashed 309 runs in five games for the Brisbane Heat in the Twenty20 Big Bash League. The teams will play five ODIs. Australia won the three-test series 3-0.
Pakistan is without two players who have had to return home for family reasons.
Sarfraz’s departure came just days after fast bowler Mohammad Irfan left the team following the death of his mother.
