Pakistan will look to put a close loss to Australia in the opening ODI of the series behind them as they face the hosts in the 2nd game of the three-match series in Adelaide.
As a must-win game for the visitors to keep the series alive, the team management is unlikely to tinker with the line-up that almost got them over the line in the opening contest with maybe just a single exception.Â
It is being reported that Pakistan will play a specialist spinner in the second game given Adelaide wicket’s ability to wear down later in the game and offer some turn for the slower bowlers. Australia used the same formula in the opening game with Adam Zampa crucial in sending back Babar Azam who looked on song against the Pacers.Â
Pakistan, on the other hand, went with an all-pace attack which almost paid off the quick surface but had little variation to offer to the Australian batters.Â
Here’s how things could look for Pakistan in the 2nd ODI:
Pakistan Probable XI for 2nd Australia ODI:
 Opening Duo: Abdullah Shafique and Saim Ayub.
Yes, both Saim and Abdullah failed to play an innings of substance in the opening contest but Pakistan is likely to give the duo another chance to open the innings. Babar and Rizwan are not likely to jump from their spots to open the batting leaving these two as the only specialists in the team.
Middle Order: Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Kamran Ghulam.
Babar finally looked like his old self in the first contest while Rizwan played a typical style innings as well meaning the duo is practically undroppable. Karam looked troubled on a bouncier track in his first outing in Australia but is not going anywhere either.
Lower Middle Order and All-Rounders: Salman Ali Agha, Arafat Minhas.
If the reports are true and Pakistan is considering a spin option then look for Arafat Minhas to make his debut in ODI cricket. The 19-year-old is more than capable with the bat which adds a valuable skill lower in Pakistan’s batting order. Salman Agha, meanwhile, is not getting dropped as the team’s vice-captain which leaves Irfan Khan Niazi as the odd man out.Â
Pace Battery: Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf.Â
Naseem was doubtful for the 2nd ODI but has recovered and should retain his place alongside the same pace battery which almost got the job done in the opening fixture.
With a little more help from the batters, the four seamers will be confident of delivering once again.
Probable Playing XI:
- Saim Ayub
- Abdullah Shafique
- Kamran Ghulam
- Babar Azam
- Mohammad Rizwan (c) (wk)
- Salman Ali Agha (vc)
- Arafat Minhas
- Shaheen Afridi
- Naseem Shah
- Mohammad Hasnain
- Haris Rauf
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