PAK vs AUS | 3rd ODI | Preview, Prediction, Probable XI, Fantasy XI

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The 3rd and final ODI between Pakistan and Australia will be played on 2nd April at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. The three-match ODI series is currently levelled at 1-1.

The hosts suffered a significant loss in the first ODI as Australia beat them by 88 runs. However, they bounced back stronger in their next match and recorded their highest one-day international (ODI) run-chase to beat Australia by six wickets. Shaheen Afridi shined with the ball as he took four wickets while conceding 63 runs in his quota of 10 overs for Pakistan. 


Babar Azam led from the front and scored an 83-ball 114, while Imam-ul-Haq smashed a 97-ball 106 runs to chase down a 349-run target with six balls to spare. 

After putting to bat first, Australia lost their captain Aaron Finch for a golden duck. Travis Head and Ben McDermott then steadied the ship as they put on a 162-run partnership. Marnus Labuschagne also smashed a half-century, while Marcus Stoinis notched 49 runs.  

Australia is not playing with a full-strength squad, but still, they outplayed the hosts in the first ODI and looked decent in the second game. On the other hand, Pakistan already cleared their intentions in the second ODI. So the series decider promises to be a thriller on Saturday with the series at stake.

Pitch Report 

The pitch at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, was a batting paradise in the first two ODI games. There is nothing much on offer for bowlers. The team batting first would look to post 330-plus runs on board, given the dew factor that comes in the latter stages of the game. Overall, we can expect a high scoring thriller on Saturday.


Pitch Stats (ODIs)

  • Matches Played: 65

  • Matches Won Batting First: 33

  • Matches Won Bowling First: 30

  • Average 1st Inning Score: 251

  • Average 2nd Inning Score: 215


Injury Update/Players Availability

Both teams are likely to deploy their unchanged playing combination.

Squads


Pakistan

Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Abdullah Shafique, Asif Afridi, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-Ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani, Usman Qadir

Australia

Aaron Finch (c), Travis Head, Ben McDermott, Marnus Labuschagne, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey (wk), Cameron Green, Sean Abbott, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Mitchell Swepson, Ben Dwarshuis, Jason Behrendorff 


Probable Playing XI

Pakistan


Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (c), Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Zahid Mahmood

Australia 

Aaron Finch (c), Travis Head, Ben McDermott, Marnus Labuschagne, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey (wk), Cameron Green, Sean Abbott, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Mitchell Swepson

Fantasy XI Suggestion 1

Wicket-Keeper: Mohammad Rizwan

Batters: Travis Head, Babar Azam, Ben McDermott, Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman

All-Rounders: Marcus Stoinis

Bowlers: Sean Abbott, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Zahid Mahmood

Captain: Travis Head

Vice-Captain: Babar Azam 

Fantasy XI Suggestion 2

Wicket-Keeper: Mohammed Rizwan

Batters: Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, Travis Head, Ben McDermott

All-rounders: Marcus Stoinis, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Wasim Jr

Bowlers: Adam Zampa, Shaheen Afridi, Jason Behrendorff


Captain: Babar Azam

Vice-Captain: Marcus Stoinis

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