Major update on Naseem Shah ahead of second Australia ODI
Ahead of Pakistan's second ODI match against Australia on November 8 in Adelaide, there is positive news for the team as fast bowler Naseem Shah has fully recovered from his recent injury.
Sources confirmed that Naseem participated in today's practice session with the team in Adelaide, and he will be available for selection in the upcoming match.
In the first ODI, Naseem was forced to leave the field due to cramps while bowling. However, with his recovery now complete, the Pakistan team is hopeful for a stronger performance in the second match.
There could be a change in the squad, although the final decision on whether to make alterations has not been made yet. The playing XI will be confirmed tomorrow, after the second practice session.
The team's selector, Asad Shafiq, is anticipated to consult with the captain and head coach, alongside fellow selectors Aqib Javed, Azhar Ali, Aleem Dar, and Hassan Cheema, before making any decisions regarding changes. The discussions will center around evaluating the pitch conditions in Adelaide.
Upon arrival in Adelaide, the Pakistan team had a rest day, followed by a focused practice session today. The players worked on addressing key areas, such as batting, bowling, and fielding weaknesses.
Historically, Pakistan has not had much success in Adelaide, with only one win in eight matches played there. The sole victory came in 1996 under the leadership of Wasim Akram, when Pakistan triumphed by 12 runs. Saqlain Mushtaq played a pivotal role in the win with a five-wicket haul.
The most recent ODI in Adelaide took place on August 26, 2017, when Australia secured a 57-run victory after posting a challenging target of 369 runs. David Warner's 179 and Travis Head's 128 guided Australia, with their opening partnership amassing 284 runs.
Pakistan’s response, led by a century from Babar Azam and 79 runs from Sharjeel Khan, fell short, reaching 312 runs.