Confident Pakistan itching for elusive series win in Australia as the hosts have keys players leaving the side.
Confident Pakistan will look to do the uncalled for as they aim to win a rare series on Australian soil.
For decades, Pakistan has primarily experienced nightmares on Australian land. But after thrashing the world champions by nine wickets in Adelaide. Pakistan is poised for a rare series win in Australia, fuelled by fiery bowling from quick Haris Rauf. They enter Sunday’s final at the Optus Stadium with a lot of confidence.
Naturally, it can be risky to have any kind of confidence in such an erratic team. But Pakistan should be the favourites going into the third and final ODI in Perth. If it weren’t for Pat Cummins’ heroics with the bat at the MCG in the closing moments, they probably should have finished the series by now.
Before brilliant rookie opener Saim Ayub treated Australia’s frontline attack with contempt, Pakistan recovered brilliantly with a masterpiece in the second ODI, destroying Australia’s hitters with deft speed bowling.
A more clinical performance by a visiting squad in Australia is difficult to remember. Pakistan, which will play a depleted Australia, has a chance to win an improbable series after their white-ball coach Gary Kirsten resigned due to turmoil just one week before the tour.
As they begin training for the opening Test match against India. Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, and Cummins will not be playing.
The difficult challenge of inspiring a new-look side in circumstances that will once again test their batting-order. Preaching all-out attack falls to Josh Inglis, who will be Australia’s 30th ODI captain. Matt Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk, the struggling openers who have both been under fire for their shot choices during the two games, will be under a lot of pressure.
There is extra significance for both teams ahead of the forthcoming Champions Trophy in Pakistan. Even though the series is seen as an introduction to the exciting Test summer. This was evidenced by the low attendance in Melbourne and Adelaide.