AUS vs PAK: After thrilling the entire world with a near win at the MCG, Pakistan is going to take on the challenge of bouncing back and taking this pivotal game at the stunning Adelaide Oval this Friday. With the series hanging in balance, Mohammad Rizwan’s men will have to think of a winning strategy to keep the series alive and take it to a decider at Perth.

Pakistan’s Quick Bowlers: Glimmer Of Hope At The MCG

Pakistan’s pace attack, spearheaded by Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah, almost managed to pull off a sensational upset in Melbourne. Quicks turned on the heat of high-octane short-pitched bowling, putting constant pressure on Australia’s top order with the ball flying through at alarming speed. Though it is great that they came close, Pakistan needs to alter their approach at Adelaide Oval since the dimensions and playing conditions there will be worlds apart from what the MCG has to offer.

Adjusting To Adelaide’s Conditions: A New Agenda For Pakistan

The Adelaide Oval provides a considerably smaller playing field square of the wicket than the MCG, so Pakistan will most likely have to bowl a much better line and length to peg back the aggressive batting lineup of Australia. The Pakistan bowling will have to keep a very tight and consistent line, not indulging in short-pitched tactics that successfully worked at the MCG.

Also Read: The Rise Of Indian Fast Bowlers: From Struggle To Dominance In Global Cricket

Pakistan has always battled hard against Australia. The visitors have won only twice in their last 14 ODIs. To stay in the series and push it to a decider on Sunday in Perth, they need to break this poor record and capitalize on the opportunities Adelaide offers.

Australia: A little Unconvincing But In Control

Australia did not exactly have their day in the first ODI but will now get a chance to seal the series at Adelaide Oval. For the key players like Pat Cummins, Steven Smith, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Marnus Labuschagne ahead of the first Test against India, it is the last ODI for them.

Starc has been in excellent form, while Cummins had a vital impact both with the bat and ball at the MCG. While Steven Smith’s composed 44 would indeed have eased the anxiety over his form, Marnus Labuschagne’s lean patch continues as he was seen to be dismissed cheaply by Haris Rauf at the MCG.

Key Players To Watch: Matt Short And Babar Azam

Australia’s first two batsmen are sitting in the stands as David Warner stays out because of injury, while Travis Head is away on paternity leave. Matt Short, of course, has done quite well for England in the UK and now gets a chance to translate the success into Australian colors. He had enjoyed considerable success in the BBL with the Adelaide Strikers, and now he will also relish returning to his home ground after a disappointing start to the series.

Babar Azam was Pakistan’s standout batter in the first ODI, making a composed 37 off 44. The recent struggles have been very well-documented; however, Babar looked relatively more at ease in ODI cricket, his preferred format, where he averages an impressive 56.52. He will look to carry forward his solid past performances, especially his century at Adelaide Oval during the 2017 ODI series.

Team Updates: Hazlewood Is Available; Naseem Shah Is Likely To Play

Australia make one change to their Playing XI as Josh Hazlewood comes in for Sean Abbott. Hazlewood has been out of international cricket since the UK tour, although he returned for New South Wales in a Sheffield Shield match earlier this week, bowling without taking a wicket. He is likely to be his team’s only game before the first Test against India.

Pakistan will be looking for Naseem Shah, who had suffered a minor injury problem following the MCG, to play in the Adelaide game. Pakistan will rely much on his presence in the attack to nullify Australia’s very strong batting order.

A Fight Or Die For Pakistan Survival

Pakistan must win this game at Adelaide Oval and force the rubber match into extra time in what is going to be an exceptionally competitive series. Given that Pakistan needs to take the series forward and into a decider in Perth, they have to find the means to readjust to the conditions, alter their bowling plans, and give life support to its main batter Babar Azam to lead the charge. Australia will look to wrap up the series and send off the ODI leg of their summer on a good note before going into Test mode.

Probable Playing XI

Australia: Matt Short, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Steven Smith, Josh Inglis (wk), Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Aaron Hardie, Pat Cummins (C), Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Kamran Ghulam, Salman Ali Agha, Irfan Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain

Also Read: Cricket Archives: When India Conquered Australia To Win First Test Series!