RAWALPINDI — Pakistan won the first ODI of the 2026 three-match series against Australia by five wickets in Rawalpindi. Pakistan won the toss and elected to field, then chased down Australia’s total to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
Australia’s campaign was hampered by the absence of several key players. Mitchell Marsh was ruled out of the series due to an ankle injury, while Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc were rested for the tour. Josh Hazlewood did not participate because he was playing in the Indian Premier League, and Travis Head joined the squad only for the subsequent Bangladesh leg after his IPL commitments ended in late May 2026. Josh Inglis captained the side in their absence.
The match marked the ODI debuts of Australia’s Ollie Peake and Pakistan’s Arafat Minhas. Minhas delivered a standout performance, taking five wickets for 32 runs to disrupt Australia’s batting order. Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green struggled with the bat during the innings.
Shadab Khan returned to Pakistan’s ODI squad for the series, his first appearance in the format since the 2023 World Cup. Babar Azam was also included after being left out of Pakistan’s previous series against Bangladesh due to poor form in the T20 World Cup.
Australia’s ODI history in Pakistan has been limited and challenging. Before the 2026 series, the teams had played 10 ODIs in Pakistan, with Pakistan winning five and Australia four. Australia had won only one away ODI series against Pakistan—in 1998/99, when they swept a three-match series 3-0. Pakistan claimed the 1982/83 series 2-0, won a one-off ODI in 1988/89, and took the 2021/22 series 2-1. Overall, Australia had toured Pakistan for ODI series four times prior to 2026: in 1982/83, 1988/89, 1998/99, and 2021/22.
The remaining matches of the 2026 series were scheduled to be played in Lahore on Tuesday and Thursday following the opener in Rawalpindi. Australia selected Tanveer Sangha over Adam Zampa for its touring squad.