Pakistan attempt to wrap up series, Australia want to bounce back in second ODI

Pakistan will try to seal the three-match One-Day International (ODI) series when they lock horns with Australia in the second match at Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday. The encounter is slated to begin at 4:30 p.m. The visitors, meanwhile, would be hungry to make a comeback after losing the opener and keep the series alive.

Pakistan won the first of five ODIs in Rawalpindi by five wickets, with 21-year-old left-arm orthodox spinner Arafat Minhas taking five wickets on debut to set up the victory. The spin-friendly surface exposed Australia’s struggles against the turning ball with the country’s slow bowlers accounting for eight wickets to worry the batting line-up.

But Lahore conditions have always benefited batsmen, and there have been a few of high-scoring contests in previous years. Australia chased down 352 against England in last year’s Champions Trophy, while Pakistan posted 349 against Australia at the same stadium in 2022.

There’s been plenty of talk about the nature of the pitch for Tuesday’s meeting. As the 2027 World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia beckons, some analysts feel Pakistan should prepare for the conditions they are likely to experience in southern Africa rather than depending primarily on spin-friendly home pitches.

Australia are set to improve their lineup with the return of leg-spinner Adam Zampa, who missed the opening match with a neck problem. However, the visitors are still without key experienced players including Mitchell Marsh.

Pakistan batter Muhammad Ghazi Ghori said the confidence of a player is naturally boosted by excellent performances that enable the team to succeed. “Batting along with Babar Azam creates confidence rather than pressure,” he added, saying that he is not replacing Mohammad Rizwan who is still the team’s first-choice player.