Pakistan, coming off a narrow loss to Australia in the first ODI, is keen to bounce back in the second game of the three-match series in Adelaide. With Australia leading, Pakistan must win this match to keep their hopes alive in the series.
Since this is a do-or-die situation, the team is expected to stick with the lineup that almost secured victory in the first game. However, there may be one strategic change. Reports suggest Pakistan is considering adding a specialist spinner to their squad for this match, given that the Adelaide pitch tends to slow down as the game progresses, making spin a valuable asset.
In the first game, Australia’s decision to include spinner Adam Zampa worked in their favor, especially as he managed to dismiss Pakistan’s star batter, Babar Azam, who had been playing well against the fast bowlers. Pakistan, by contrast, opted for an all-pace attack, which was initially effective on the quick surface but offered limited variation to challenge the Australian batters through the middle overs.
Lower Middle Order and All-Rounders: Salman Ali Agha, Arafat Minhas
If Pakistan does go with a spin option, Arafat Minhas could potentially make his ODI debut. The 19-year-old brings not only spin bowling skills but also valuable batting ability, providing Pakistan with more depth in their lineup. Salman Ali Agha, the team’s vice-captain, is expected to retain his spot. This likely leaves Irfan Khan Niazi on the sidelines for this game.
The Fast-Bowling Quartet: Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf
Naseem Shah, who was uncertain for this match due to an injury concern, appears to have recovered and is expected to join Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, and Haris Rauf in the pace lineup. This group performed well in the first match, coming close to securing victory. With additional support from the batters, these four pacers will be optimistic about their chances to make an impact once again.
Pakistan’s 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
Pakistan’s lineup for the second ODI reflects a careful balance of youth and experience, with adjustments aimed at leveraging Adelaide’s pitch conditions. This game represents a crucial opportunity for Pakistan to level the series and showcase the full strength of both their batting and bowling departments.
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