TOP STORIES

Pakistan's Arafat Minhas creates history

Sunday, 31-May-2026, 08:12 AM
News

Pakistan sealed an impressive five-wicket victory over Australia in the first ODI on Saturday in Rawalpindi, chasing down a target of 201 with 45 balls to spare. Pakistan came out with a dominant all-round performance, aided by a noteworthy bowling performance from debutant Arafat Minhas.

The young spinner created history, becoming the first Pakistani bowler to claim a five-wicket haul on ODI debut. He returned with the outstanding figures of 5/32 playing a crucial role in restricting an under-strength Australian side to 200 all out in 44.1 overs. During the chase, Pakistan were anchored by the experienced Babar Azam (69) and young batter Ghazi Ghori (65). After early setbacks reduced Pakistan to 49/2, both Babar and Ghori steadied the innings with a superb 127-run partnership for the third wicket.

Their stand took the game away from Australia, and later Arafat hit the winning runs to help Pakistan to go 1-0 up in the series. Australia struggled to build partnerships on a dry surface that offered great assistance to the spinners. For Australia, Matt Renshaw smashed 61, and Matt Short scored 55 to guide the side to a respectable total after they were asked to bat.







Tags

More News

News

Gurnoor Brar pulled up for code of conduct breach

10 hrs ago

India pacer Gurnoor Brar has been given a warning after breaching level one of the ICC Code of Conduct during the first ODI between England and India in Birmingham. Brar was found to have breached Article 2.9 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “throwing a ball at or near a player in an inappropriate and or dangerous manner...


News

"Lots of eyes and fingers will be pointed at Gautam Gambhir": AB de Villiers amid India's unexpected slump in T20Is

11 hrs ago

India were dealt crushing series defeats in the recently concluded T20I assignments against Ireland and England, with the defending champions struggling to match the intensity shown by the opposition and being handed a wake-up call. Across both series, India were clean swept, going down 2-0 to Ireland and 4-0 to England. Amid India's sudden dow...


News

Moises Henriques retires from Australian domestic cricket

14 hrs ago

Sydney Sixers captain Moises Henriques has retired from Australian domestic cricket. Moises, who announced his first-class retirement in March 2025, led Sydney Sixers to the final of the BBL earlier this year in January; however, he was not given a contract for the upcoming season of the BBL, following which he decided to end his career with 154 BBL matches under his belt. ...


News

Ashwin urges Indian management to back Kuldeep Yadav

15 hrs ago

Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has raised questions over the way wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav is being managed by the Indian management, asserting that the left-arm spinner deserves a more consistent role in the ODI side. Kuldeep has been left out of three of India's last four ODIs, including the opening ODI against England in Birmingham. On most occa...


News

ENG vs IND, 2nd ODI: India aim to seal series as England fight for survival

16 hrs ago

Having shown their dominance in the opening match, India will look to continue their impressive run as they gear up to take on England in the second ODI at Sophia Gardens on Thursday. India delivered a commanding performance in the series opener, sealing a six-wicket win and taking a 1-0 advantage. Now, they are one victory away from clinching the three-match s...