AUS vs PAK 2024/25, AUS vs PAK 2nd ODI Match Preview

Big picture: Pakistan aim to keep series alive in latest blow for several Australian Test stars

After failing to pull off an incredible heist in the first match at the MCG, Pakistan will need to regroup and conjure up a rare victory at the picturesque Adelaide Oval on Friday to keep the series alive.

Pakistan’s quicks attempted to defend a modest score of 203, with the fiery bowling of Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah on a fast and bouncy surface almost leading to a dream start for new ODI captain Mohammad Rizwan.

The short-pitch tactics worked well and shook up the Australian batters, but Pakistan will likely have to change their approach on a pitch with much shorter wicket dimensions compared to the MCG. They will be wise to concentrate on a disciplined line and length against an explosive Australian batting order determined to stick to an ultra-aggressive method.

To keep the series alive ahead of Sunday’s decider in Perth, Pakistan will also have to defy a poor record against Australia, having won only twice in the last 14 ODIs between the two teams.

Australia were not very convincing in the first match but can wrap up the series in what will be the last hit for skipper Pat Cummins, Steven Smith, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Marnus Labuschagne before the first Test against the ‘India.

Starc has been in fine form at the start of the season, while Cummins has been in possession of both ball and bat at the MCG. Smith’s 44 nett have allayed fears about his form, but Labuschagne is in the midst of a tough spell and scored just 16 in the first ODI before being jostled by Rauf’s extra bounce.

Form guide

AustraliaWWLLW (last five matches completed, most recent first)
PakistanLLWWL

In the spotlight: Matt Short and Babar Azam

As the ‘bat off’ Test continues in the second Australia A match at the MCG, Australia also have David Warner’s shoes to fill in ODI cricket. With regular opener Travis Head on paternity leave, Matt Court and Jake Fraser-McGurk attempt to make a convincing case ahead of the Champions Trophy, but both fell cheaply in the opening match. Short was considered to have the inside after performing well against England in the UK recently but managed just one run in the series opener after he edged Shaheen Shah Afridi at third man. He should enjoy returning to the Adelaide Oval, where he has made many runs in the BBL over the years for the Strikers. Short has a golden opportunity in front of him in conditions he knows very well.

Pakistani batters were exposed to harsh MCG conditions after being sent down. The exception was Babar Azamwho was a class above his teammates with an elegant 37 off 44. He cruised through Australia’s rapids until he stumbled while trying to pick up the pace against legspinner Adam Zampa. Babar’s recent struggles have been well documented and led to his controversial removal during the England Test series. But he looked right at home in ODI cricket, his favorite format where he averages 56.52 – the fourth highest ever – and is a century away from equaling Saeed Anwar’s Pakistan record of 20. He will have fond memories of playing at the Adelaide Oval having scored an even century against Australia in January 2017 – the last time the teams faced each other in an ODI at the ground.

Team News: Hazlewood returns; Naseem should be in good shape

Hazlewood is likely to replace Sean Abbott in the XI and play his only international match before the first Test. After a month’s break following the UK tour, Hazlewood made his return for New South Wales against Queensland in a Sheffield Shield match at Cricket Central which concluded earlier in the week . He remained wicketless after 24 overs in Queensland’s only innings draw.

Australia (possible): 1 Matt Short, 2 Jake Fraser-McGurk, 3 Steven Smith, 4 Josh Inglis (week), 5 Marnus Labuschagne, 6 Glenn Maxwell, 7 Aaron Hardie, 8 Pat Cummins (captain), 9 Mitchell Starc, 10 Adam Zampa, 11 years old Josh Hazlewood

Naseem was forced off the field during the first ODI due to cramps but is expected to be available. Pakistan may have to consider playing a leading role in Adelaide.

Pakistan (possible): 1 Saim Ayub, 2 Abdullah Shafique, 3 Babar Azam, 4 Mohammad Rizwan (week), 5 Kamran Ghulam, 6 Salman Ali Agha, 7 Irfan Khan, 8 Shaheen Shah Afridi, 9 Naseem Shah, 10 Haris Rauf, 11 Mohamed Hasnain

Location and conditions

Despite its reputation as a batting paradise, Adelaide Oval has been difficult to beat, as highlighted by a low-scoring Sheffield Shield match between South Australia and Victoria that ended earlier in the week, although this was designed to help the home team’s spinners. The surface is generally considerably flatter for white-ball cricket, with the short square dimensions leading to a quick score. There was some rain before the match and a downpour is forecast for Friday morning. But play is unlikely to be affected with sunny conditions expected throughout the afternoon.

Statistics and anecdotes

Mitchell Starc is six wickets away from becoming the fourth Australian to take 250 ODI wickets. He has the best strike rate by an Australian in ODI cricket (minimum 50 wickets).
Glenn Maxwell needs 66 runs to reach 4000 in ODIs.
Shaheen Shah Afridi (25.99) and Haris Rauf (26.23) occupy the seventh and eighth places respectively for bowling strike rates in ODI history (minimum 1,000 balls).
Pakistan have beaten Australia only once in eight ODIs at the Adelaide Oval. Their only victory was by 12 points in December 1996.

Quotes

“The game is changing and we want to resume the game in the first 10 overs. Instead of falling to 240-250, which are not winnable scores here, reaching the 300 mark is more of a winning total, in our opinion.” .
Opening of Australia Jake Fraser-McGurk

Tristan Lavalette is a journalist based in Perth