Pak vs Aus 2nd ODI: Adelaide pitch likely to favour fast bowlers

Pakistan will face a green-top challenge at Adelaide Oval in the second ODI against Australia on Friday, as the seam-friendly pitch promises to benefit fast bowlers.

With Pakistan trailing the three-match series 1-0, they face a significant task to level the series against Australia’s powerful pace attack on a pitch that could offer early movement and bounce.

The Adelaide Oval surface shows a layer of grass, known for aiding bowlers with both seam and bounce, especially in the early overs.

This could put pressure on Pakistan’s batting lineup as they look to withstand the new-ball assault from Australia’s pace unit.

Conditions may become more favourable for batsmen as the match progresses, with some turn expected for spinners later in the game.

Adelaide Oval has seen 86 ODIs, with a slight advantage for teams batting first, who have won 46 times.

Pakistan, however, has an underwhelming record at the venue, securing only one win in eight ODIs.

Their last victory there was in 1996, led by Wasim Akram and aided by Saqlain Mushtaq’s five-wicket haul.

In a strategic response, Pakistan is considering the inclusion of an additional spinner, potentially resting one of their pace bowlers.

Naseem Shah, who cramped up in the series opener, has regained fitness but may be rested to accommodate the extra spinner.

Pakistan ODI Squad: Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (WK), Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi

Australia ODI Squad: Pat Cummins (c), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Lance Morris, Josh Philippe, Matthew Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa