Adelaide pitch set to favour pacers

The second ODI of the ongoing three-match series between Pakistan and Australia is set to be played on a green-top pitch at Adelaide Oval this Friday. Pakistan trails the series 1-0 and faces a challenging task as the pitch conditions at Adelaide favor Australia's formidable pace attack.

The first glimpse of the Adelaide Oval pitch reveals a grassy surface, known for assisting fast bowlers with new-ball seam movement and unpredictable bounce. Batting conditions may become more favorable after the initial overs, but Pakistan's lineup will need to withstand early pressure from Australia's pace arsenal. Additionally, the pitch may offer some turn for spinners as the match progresses.

Historically, Adelaide Oval has hosted 86 ODIs, with teams batting first holding a slight advantage, winning 46 times compared to 38 victories for chasing teams. Pakistan's record at the venue remains unimpressive, with just one win in eight ODIs, dating back to 1996 when Wasim Akram's side defeated Australia by 12 runs, aided by Saqlain Mushtaq's memorable five-wicket haul.

In a strategic move to counter Australia's batting depth, Pakistan is reportedly considering the inclusion of an additional spinner for Friday's match. With two regular spinners, Arafat Minhas and Faisal Akram, in the 15-member squad, Pakistan may opt to rest either Naseem Shah or Mohammad Hasnain to bolster their spin attack. Naseem, who suffered from cramps during the series opener, has regained full fitness but may still be given rest to ensure a balanced bowling lineup.

Confident Naseem Shah

National fast-bowler Naseem Shah addressed the media following Pakistan's first match, emphasizing the team's resolve to learn from their mistakes and improve.

Reflecting on the game, he noted the team discussed areas for improvement, particularly in batting, and is determined to make a stronger showing in the upcoming fixture.

Commenting on the Melbourne pitch, Shah praised Australia's bowling and acknowledged the surface's advantage for fast bowlers.

"The length bowling wasn't as effective; the short ball worked better," he explained. Despite this, he expressed confidence in Pakistan's bowling unit, which is currently in good form.

"My fitness is great, though cramps can happen anytime and don't take long to recover from," he stated, dismissing any fitness concerns.

He maintained that the team is not targeting any individual opponent and is focused on winning as a collective. "Whether the pitch suits us or not, we'll aim to play our best cricket," he affirmed.

The narrow loss in the first match, Shah believes, has given Pakistan much to learn and build upon, with the team determined to capitalize on these insights moving forward.

Pakistan's 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's 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.