Australia narrowly secured a victory against Pakistan in the first ODI at the MCG, overcoming a challenging spell from Haris Rauf. Chasing a target of 204, the Australian team found themselves in a precarious position at 139 for six in just the 21st over, as Rauf dismantled their middle order while they aimed to finish the game quickly. However, captain Pat Cummins, who scored an unbeaten 32, played a crucial role in stabilizing the innings. This match marked Cummins' return to ODI cricket following last year’s World Cup final victory. His experience proved vital as Australia managed to reach their target with 99 balls to spare, despite the early collapse. Cummins has developed a reputation as a reliable run-chaser, having been involved in several tight finishes in both Test and ODI formats over the past 18 months.

**Australia vs Sri Lanka: Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 – Live Updates** Stay tuned for updates as the defending champions kick off their campaign in the UAE. In the early moments of the match, Sri Lanka's captain, Chamari, elegantly glided the ball past point to secure the first runs for her team. She followed it up with another well-executed shot, showcasing her compact technique. However, Australian bowler Schutt made a critical error by overstepping the crease, resulting in a free hit for the batting side. Despite this misstep, Schutt managed to limit the damage with a well-placed slower ball. Yet, she overstepped again on her next delivery! After a brief pause, she returned to her mark, perhaps contemplating a need to measure her run-up more carefully. Fortunately for her, the subsequent ball was a solid yorker, causing no further issues. The tide turned when Schutt finally delivered a legal ball, successfully trapping Gunaratne in front of the stumps. The Decision Review System (DRS) confirmed the on-field call, showing three reds, marking Australia’s first wicket of the match.