Pakistani pacer Naseem Shah played his career-best innings at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) when he scored 40 runs, including four sixes in the first ODI against Australia.
Pakistan team batting first scored 203 runs in MCG, thanks to the courageous innings of Naseem Shah who added 40 scores to the total when the entire middle-order collapsed in front of Australian bowlers. An aggressive innings played by Naseem Shah preceding Shaheen Shah Afridi’s courageous boundaries helped Pakistan put in a formidable total.
Cricket fans and commentators were in awe of the cricketing acumen displayed by young and pretty inexperienced batter Naseem Shah on the field.
In the second innings, Pakistan had almost defeated Australia, when Haris Rauf struck and took two consecutive wickets. However, Pat Cummins saved the day for Australia.
While Naseem’s heroics pumped up the spectators, the massive number of Pakistani supporters in the ground was a sight to behold. The crowd of 25,831 was dominated by Pakistan supporters, who helped comprise the biggest-ever attendance for an ODI at the ground in November.
Despite the defeat, the Pakistani team garnered immense praise on social media for putting up a fight and taking the game to the end, despite posting a low total. Some sloppy fielding and wides cost Pakistan the match.
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However, fans still appreciated the team for putting up a fight. “Wasn’t expecting to beat Australia, especially in MCG so no disappointment at all. What I loved today was the fight by the Pakistan team. I saw this fight after ages by Pakistan. And I will happily take it,” said one user on X.
“Spirited fighting show from team Pakistan 1st ODI vs Australia at MCG. @iMRizwanPak did pretty well as captain. Keep our heads up guys. Well done,” said former skipper Muhammad Hafeez in a tweet on X.
https://x.com/faizanlakhani/status/1853380280821674056
Prominent sports journalists Faizan Lakhani said: “This is the spirit, the fight, and the passion everyone expects from Team Pakistan! This energy once defined Pakistan cricket, and it’s thrilling to see them bring back their trademark resilience on the field.”