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Travis Head stuns cricket world in never-before-seen moment

Travis Head, pictured here making the fastest century for Australia in ODIs against Pakistan.
Travis Head made the fastest century for Australia in ODIs against Pakistan. Image: AAP/Fox Cricket

Travis Head has blasted the fastest century for Australia in ODIs against Pakistan in a stunning return to the international format.

Playing his first ODI since 2018, Head cracked 101 off 72 balls to lift Australia to 7-313 in Tuesday's series-opener.

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Adam Zampa then took four wickets as Pakistan were bowled out for 225 despite the best efforts of opener Imam Ul Haq (103 off 96 balls) and captain Babar Azam (57 off 72 balls).

Zampa finished with 4-38 from his 10 overs in a standout display, helping Australia take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Head also snared 2-35 off six overs in a surprise cameo with the ball, but it was his display with the bat that inflicted the most damage.

The 28-year-old was on just one when he was given out lbw in the second over.

Head immediately reviewed the decision, with replays showing Mohammad Wasim's delivery had pitched outside leg stump.

The left-hander cashed in on the reprieve, punishing anything wide to bring up his half-century off just 32 balls.

By the time the South Australian brought up his century off 70 balls, he had cracked three sixes and 12 fours.

It was the fastest ODI century ever by an Australian in matches against Pakistan, and the fifth-fastest from any country against Pakistan.

Travis Head, pictured here celebrating after reaching his century in the first ODI between Australia and Pakistan.
Travis Head celebrates after reaching his century in the first ODI between Australia and Pakistan. (Photo by ARIF ALI/AFP via Getty Images)

Ben McDermott added 55 off 70 balls as Australia raced to 1-171 in the 25th over, but the run rate then slowed due to the regular fall of wickets.

Some late lusty blows from Cameron Green (40 not out off 30 balls) ensured Australia picked up the pace again.

"I'm stoked for Travis. He's been out of the team for a while, and to come back and get a 100 off 70 balls - it's a match-winning knock," Zampa said after the match.

"The boys played really well. The opening batsmen set the tone early for us, it was a really competitive total.

"Our quick bowlers put some good pressure at the start and we got the results at the end."

Babar Azam also makes ODI history for Pakistan

Pakistan made a solid start to their chase as they moved to 1-120 after 24 overs.

Babar became the second-fastest player to reach 4000 ODI runs when he struck Mitchell Swepson for four early in his innings.

The star batsman took 82 innings to reach the mark, just one short of the record held by Hashim Amla.

But the match was as good as over when Australia's two debutants removed Pakistan's biggest dangers.

Swepson (2-53) trapped Babar plumb lbw, with the Pakistan skipper blowing a review in the process.

And Nathan Ellis (1-36) ended Pakistan's resistance when he bowled Ul Haq.

It was an impressive win for Australia given the visitors entered the match with just 13 fit players after being ravaged by injuries and Covid-19.

Less than 24 hours after Josh Inglis entered isolation, spinner Ashton Agar was also struck down with the virus.

All-rounder Mitch Marsh (hip) and Steve Smith (elbow) are also injured, while Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and David Warner have all been rested from the white-ball component of the tour.

with AAP

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