Pakistan vs Australia, 2nd ODI, Preview: Hosts eager to rejuvenate after getting tamed in the series opener

On a day where not a lot of wickets were taken, Australia managed to walk their way to the finish line with ease and went 1-0 up convincingly in the series. While the visiting bowlers managed to pick just five wickets, the Pakistanis could get only two and Aaron Finch’s sensational ton was icing on the cake.

The Australian side is just about finding some rhythm and they could not have done it at a better time, with the World Cup a couple of months from commencing. This now leads to a new debate if or whether David Warner and Steve Smith will find their names in the squad which will travel to England.

Pakistan, on the other hand, still have some problems which remain unsolved. Shoaib Malik will continue to lead the side in Sarfaraz’s absence and although a comeback seems a bit unlikely, one can never disregard the Pakistani contingent more so in subcontinental conditions.

Team Combinations

Pakistan

The hosts might bench Mohammad Amir for this game and could be replaced by Usman Shinwari. The remaining side looks pretty much the same with Imam and Shan Masood to open and Haris Sohail, Umar Akmal, Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Rizwan coming in the middle order. Mohammad Abbas and Yasir Shah will be the key in the bowling department and they will be assisted by Faheem Ashraf and Imad Wasim.

Predicted XI: Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood, Haris Sohail, Umar Akmal, Shoaib Malik (C), Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Faheem Ashraf, Imad Wasim, Yasir Shah, Usman Shinwari, Mohammad Abbas.

Australia

No changes are expected in the Aussie XI as Khawaja and Finch will go up front with Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Peter Handscomb and Alex Carey coming in the middle order. The duo of Nathan Lyon and Adam Zampa did extremely well in choking the flow of runs. Jhye Richardson, Coulter-Nile and Stoinis will be Finch’s fast bowling alternatives.

Predicted XI: Usman Khawaja, Aaron Finch (C), Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Peter Handscomb, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey (WK), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Jhye Richardson, Nathan Lyon, Adam Zampa.

Focus will be on

Haris Sohail (Pakistan)

Haris Sohail compiled a scintillating hundred on his way towards completing 1,000 ODI runs. The 30-year-old seems very confident in the middle and will be desperate to continue the good run into the World Cup. He also has enough experience to handle the crucial number 3 position, making him an ideal fit for the side in Babar Azam’s absence.

Glenn Maxwell (Australia)

He was in red hot form during the ODI and T20I series against India and didn’t get a chance to bat in the first game. Maxwell is a game-changer and can make any team dance according to his tunes. After all the debacles they have been through in the last 12 months, a good result in India and UAE will be a great take away for Australia.

Head to Head

Overall – 98 | Pakistan won – 32 | Australia won – 62 | Tie/NR – 4

Stat Attack

53 – Stoinis needs 53 runs to complete 1,000 runs in ODIs.

58 – Glenn Maxwell is 58 short of 2,500 runs in ODI cricket.

Match Timings – 16:30 IST; 15:00 local

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