An utterly dominant performance from Pakistan in Adelaide sees the series go to a decider in Perth. Australia will have an inexperienced side without their Test stars, can Pakistan cause a boilover and produce a remarkable series victory in Australia? Jack Tobin has you covered with a full match preview, best bet, and prop bet below!
Australia vs Pakistan: 3rd ODI Preview & Betting Tips
Optus Stadium, Sunday 10th November, 2:30pm AEDT
Australia
Squad: Josh Inglis, Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Spencer Johnson, Glenn Maxwell, Lance Morris, Josh Philippe, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa
Australia will make at least five changes from their eleven on Friday, with Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc leaving the squad to prepare for the upcoming Test series against India. Josh Inglis will captain the side, while Xavier Bartlett, Spencer Johnson, Lance Morris and Josh Philippe come into the squad.
Australia’s aggressive batting approach fell flat on its face in game two on Friday, capitulating on a brilliant Adelaide Oval surface to be bowled out for 163 in 35 overs. Australia got off to a red hot start being 0/20 after just two overs, before Jake Fraser-McGurk and Matt Short once again threw away their wickets with irresponsible batting.
Steve Smith (35) and Josh Inglis (18) had helped Australia recover to get to 2/79, before Inglis’ dismissal caused a collapse of 6/51. The Aussies received plenty of criticism for their approach in game one which caused the result to be closer than it should have, and on Friday the approach cost them the game. Coach Andrew McDonald said after the loss that Australia will continue the all out attack approach, but it leaves them with little margin for error, particularly with such an inexperienced side for game three.
Pakistan
Squad: Muhammad Rizwan, Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Agha Salman, Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah Khan, Irfan Khan, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi
Haris Rauf (5/29) and Saim Ayub (82 off 71) spearheaded Pakistan to a famous victory at the Adelaide Oval, which was only their second ever win against Australia in any format at the venue. Pakistan’s quicks set up the victory with Shaheen Shah Afridi (3/21) and Mohammad Hasnain (1/27) ensuring the visitors would be chasing a small total.
Pakistan were brilliant with the bat as Ayub produced the highest score of his young international career, and was well supported by opening partner Abdullah Shafique (64* off 69) as the visitors won with more than 23 overs to spare. The fact that Pakistan won without big performances from Babar Azam and Muhammad Rizwan, will give the visitors a lot of confidence heading into game three.
Pakistan have only bowled 3 overs of spin over the opening two games of the series, and their pace attack will love playing on a bouncy surface in Perth. While Haris Rauf and Shaheen Shah Afridi have been excellent this series, the visitors need a lift from Naseem Shah who has gone at economy rates of 5.31 and 6.5 across the first two games of the series.
Match Prediction
Pakistan’s win in game two gives them a real chance to win their just their second ODI series ever in Australia, and their first since 2002. Australia have lost their best batter in Steve Smith and have only Marcus Stonis and Glenn Maxwell as batsmen who have played more than 25 One Day Internationals.
There’s a massive amount of pressure on Josh Inglis and Glenn Maxwell to score runs given the lack of form from Fraser-McGurk, Short and Aaron Hardie. Pakistan will be excited to play on a fast and bouncy surface in Perth,
Pakistan to Win
$2.40 (1 Unit)
Prop Bet
Haris Rauf has had plenty of experience bowling in Australia after bursting onto the scene with the Melbourne Stars in BBL09, and has been the best bowler in this series. Rauf’s 3 wickets in game one nearly dragged Pakistan over the line, while his man of the match winning 5/29 set up the game for his side. Rauf has loved playing against Australia in ODI cricket, taking 16 wickets at an average of 19.94 in only six games.
TIP: Haris Rauf Pakistan Top Bowler ($3.65 at Ladbrokes)
