Australia v Pakistan: Pat Cummins leads hosts to tense win in Melbourne

A crucial innings from captain Pat Cummins led Australia to a tense two-wicket win over Pakistan in the first one-day international in Melbourne.

Chasing 204, Australia slumped from 113-2 to 155-7, a collapse that included Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne and Glenn Maxwell falling in the space of five deliveries to Pakistan’s quicks.

But amid loud Pakistan support at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Cummins calmly put on 30 with Sean Abbott to halt the tourists’ charge.

Abbott was languidly run out for 13 when Cummins called him back for a third run, but the Australian skipper finished unbeaten on 32 from 31 balls to guide his side to victory with 16.3 overs to spare.

It gave Australia’s men a winning start to their home summer, which includes two more ODIs and three T20s against Pakistan and a much-anticipated five-Test series against India.

After taking three wickets and finishing two not out alongside Cummins, bowler Mitchell Starc told ABC Grandstand: “We probably didn’t like Patty and I wearing pads but it’s a positive start to the summer.

“Victory is a victory no matter how you get there.”