Pakistan’s Arafat Minhas (heart) reacts in the course of the first ODI match in opposition to Australia on the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Could 30, 2026. — AFP
All-rounder Arafat Minhas rewrote ODI file books on Saturday, claiming the perfect bowling figures by a Pakistani on debut in the course of the opening match of the three-match sequence in opposition to Australia in Rawalpindi.
In his maiden look, Minhas took 5 wickets for simply 32 runs in his 10 overs, changing into the primary Pakistani to register a five-wicket haul on ODI debut.
Consequently, his bowling figures of 5/32 had been additionally the perfect by a Pakistani on ODI debut, breaking the 41-year-old file, beforehand held by former right-arm pacer Zakir Khan, who had taken 4 wickets for simply 19 runs in opposition to New Zealand in November 1984.
Amongst spinners, the perfect bowling figures by a Pakistani on ODI debut had been beforehand held by legendary Abdul Qadir, who had taken 4 wickets for simply 21 runs in 12 overs in opposition to New Zealand in 1983.
Finest bowling figures on ODI debut for Pakistan
Arafat Minhas – 5/32 in opposition to Australia in 2026
Zakir Khan – 4/19 in opposition to New Zealand in 1984
Abdul Qadir – 4/21 in opposition to New Zealand in 1983
Abrar Ahmed – 4/33 in opposition to Zimbabwe in 2024
Sarfaraz Nawaz – 4/46 in opposition to New Zealand in 1973
Minhas started his historic spell with the prized scalp of Australia captain Inglis within the 14th over of the touring facet’s innings, throughout which he additionally trapped Marnus Labuschagne for lbw.
He struck once more in his subsequent over, cleansing up all-rounder Cameron Inexperienced for a duck, whereas his fourth scalp got here within the twenty seventh over of Australia’s innings within the type of set batter Matthew Brief, who scored 55 off 76 deliveries.
The 21-year-old ultimately claimed his fifth wicket on the penultimate supply of his spell when he outfoxed Nathan Ellis with an arm-ball.
His bowling exploits had been backed by fellow spinners Abrar Ahmed and Salman Ali Agha, serving to Pakistan bowl out Australia for a modest 200 in 44.1 overs within the sequence opener.
