Pakistan faces an uphill battle to keep the ODI series against Australia alive when they clash at the Adelaide Oval on Friday. Despite a valiant effort in the first game, Pakistan fell short of an improbable victory and will need to regroup and find a way to overcome their poor record against the Aussies.
Pakistan’s bowlers, led by Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah, impressed with their fiery pace and short-pitched tactics at the MCG. However, they will need to adjust their approach on the smaller Adelaide Oval, where boundaries are easier to come by. A disciplined line and length will be crucial against Australia’s explosive batting lineup.
Australia, on the other hand, will be looking to wrap up the series and give their Test stars a final hit-out before the upcoming series against India. Skipper Pat Cummins, Steven Smith, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Marnus Labuschagne will all be eager to make a statement before the red-ball battle.
While Australia’s batting was not entirely convincing in the first game, they will be confident of putting up a strong total on a ground that favors batsmen. Matt Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk will be vying for a spot in the XI, with Short having the edge after his recent performances against England.
Pakistan’s batting, on the other hand, struggled in the challenging conditions at the MCG. Babar Azam was the lone bright spot, showcasing his class with an elegant 37. He will be key to Pakistan’s hopes of posting a competitive total.
Josh Hazlewood is expected to return to the Australian lineup, replacing Sean Abbott. Pakistan may also consider playing a frontline spinner in Adelaide, given Naseem Shah’s cramps in the first game.
Despite its reputation as a batting paradise, the Adelaide Oval has been tough to bat on in recent times. However, the surface is usually flatter for white-ball cricket, and the short square boundaries will encourage aggressive batting.
Pakistan will need to defy history and overcome their poor record against Australia to keep the series alive. They will need to find a way to contain Australia’s explosive batting lineup while also posting a competitive total of their own.
