Pakistan vs Australia – 1st One-Day International Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Pakistan vs Australia taking place? Tuesday, March 29th, 2022 – 11:00 (UK)
Where is Pakistan vs Australia taking place? Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
What is the expected weather for Pakistan vs Australia? 29-35c dry, with bright sunshine before clear skies later and light winds throughout
What channel is Pakistan vs Australia on? The match will be televised live on Sky Sports
Where can I stream Pakistan vs Australia? The match can be streamed live via the Sky Go App
LAST MEETING
Australia beat Pakistan by 41 runs
THE TEAM NEWS
PAKISTAN
- Pakistan were last in ODI action all the way back in July of last year when they were beaten in humiliating fashion by an England second-string side after their entire first team squad had been forced into a period of mandatory Covid-19 isolation.
- As you would expect, both Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan are of key importance to Pakistan with the bat as if opener Fakhar Zaman, whilst Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf are expected to lead the bowling attack.
AUSTRALIA
- After two drawn Tests, Australia sealed a historic series victory in Lahore and now on the same ground, the tourists under Aaron Finch are looking to get off to a winning start in this ODI series.
- Both Steve Smith and Mitchell Marsh will miss this series, Smith through an elbow problem and Marsh a hip flexor injury, so Australia will be weakened from a batting point of view with all-rounder Cameron Green expected to play in what would be only his second ODI appearance for Australia.
THE PREDICTION
Although Australia boasts a significant amount of strength-in-depth within their squad, the potential runs that both Smith and Marsh would have provided is expected to be missed here, not to mention the absence of opener David Warner and three-pronged pace bowling attack Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins. It cannot fail to affect the tourists having so many quality players unavailable, particularly when away to a team as strong as Pakistan on paper. The hosts contain a batting line-up well suited to white ball cricket, not to mention a top-drawer bowling unit led by Shaheen and expectations are rightly high among home fans. Back Pakistan to strike the first punch of this ODI series by gaining victory here.
