Pakistan are gearing up to lock horns with Australia in the second ODI on Tuesday in Lahore, looking to seal the three-match series 2-0. The hosts are coming into the second ODI with momentum on their side, having demolished under-strength Australia in the first ODI in Rawalpindi. Delivering an all-round performance, Pakistan secured a thumping five-wicket win in the first game, with debutant and left-arm spinner Arafat Minhas claiming a stunning five-wicket haul.
Arafat's match-winning spell helped dismiss Australia for 200 in 44.1 overs before Pakistan overhauled the target with 45 balls to spare. Pakistan's chase was led by the experienced campaigner Babar Azam, stitching a brilliant century partnership with Ghazi Ghori to fire the side to victory. Babar shone with a composed knock of 69 off 94 balls while Ghazi Ghori played a valuable supporting role, bringing up 65 off 92 balls. Now, Pakistan will be full of confidence heading into the second game as they carry a 1-0 lead and also a home advantage.
Australia, on the other hand, are in a must-win situation in order to level the series and set up a decider. Josh Inglis, handed captaincy responsibilities in the absence of injured Mitchell Marsh, would look to live up to the expectations and lead the side to victory. In the first ODI, Australia struggled to tackle Pakistan's spin attack that put them in trouble early on. If it weren't for Matt Short and Matt Renshaw, who kept the scoreboard ticking with 55 and 61, respectively, Australia would have been unable to get to a respectable total. Nonetheless, the visitors will be determined to bounce back and level the series.
Head-to-head
Matches - 111
PAK won - 36
AUS won - 71
PAK possible XI: Sahibzada Farhan, Maaz Sadaqat, Babar Azam, Ghazi Ghori (wk), Salman Agha, Abdul Samad, Shadab Khan, Arafat Minhas, Shaheen Afridi (c), Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed
AUS possible XI: Matthew Short, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis (c) (wk), Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Matt Renshaw, Oliver Peake, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Billy Stanlake, Matthew Kuhnemann
