Australia v Pakistan: Pat Cummins leads the hosts to a thrilling win in Melbourne

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

Chasing 204, Australia slipped from 113-2 to 155-7, a collapse that saw Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne and Glenn Maxwell fall to the Pakistan quicks within five deliveries.

But amid vociferous Pakistani support at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Cummins calmly put Sean Abbott on 30 to stop the tourists’ onslaught.

Abbott was sloppily dismissed for 13 runs when Cummins recalled him for a third run, but the Australian captain remained unbeaten on 32 from 31 balls to lead his team to victory with 16.3 overs to spare.

It gave the Australian men a successful start to their home summer, which includes two more ODIs and three T20s against Pakistan, as well as a much-anticipated five-Test series against India.

After taking three wickets and 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.”

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