This is a five-match ODI series between these two exciting cricketing nations. After the Shameful whitewash of Pakistan, their confidence level must be down. But the recent victory of Pakistan over Cricket Australia XI must have given a little boost to their confidence.
Babar Azam back in form by smashing 98 runs in this Warm-up match. We could say that it was a whole team performance because Sharjeel Khan performed well too. Umar Akmal scored his fifty. Pakistan’s only problem is batting from ages which seems to be resolving after looking at this tour match performance.
Match scheduled to begin at 13:20 local time (03:20 GMT)
If they could show the consistency as they did in this tour match they would be able to beat Kangaroos on their own soil. Pakistan has won 5 out of their last 10 ODI’s including their win over WI. Coincidentally Australia too faced defeat in 5 of their last 10 ODI’s. Which includes a clean sweep by South Africa in 5 match series.
Although their recent figures might look same Australia has never been weak in their home & Pakistan on the other hand never been strong in Australia. Pakistan has never won an ODI series against Australia in Australia since 2002 when they won a three-match series by 2-1.
If we compare overall ODI results Pakistan has won just 3 ODI’s against Australia in the last 20 games between these two countries. These figures again might make Australia favorable but we all know how the Unpredictable Pakistan side is. If they can show consistency and absorb pressure it would be their day every day. One of the World’s fastest bowlers Brett Lee recently commented that we should never underestimate Pakistan.
Pakistan Squad
Azhar Ali*, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Hasan Ali, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Irfan, Mohammad Nawaz (3), Mohammad Rizwan, Rahat Ali, Sarfraz Ahmed†, Sharjeel Khan, Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal, Wahab Riaz
Australia Squad
SPD Smith*, DA Warner, PJ Cummins, JP Faulkner, JR Hazlewood, TM Head, UT Khawaja, CA Lynn, MR Marsh, GJ Maxwell, B Stanlake, MA Starc, MS Wade, A Zampa
