AUS v PAK, 4th ODI, Preview: Stakes high for Pakistan as series gets on the line

After being badly bruised and rubbed in the Test series, very few gave Pakistan a chance in the ODI outfit. The first ODI only added weight to that assumption. However, the way Pakistan outplayed Australia in the second ODI, the hopes for the visitors has sprung back. But the inconsistency of the men in green has been their biggest thorn for them. They were again totally outplayed by Australia in the 3rd ODI. Now, with the 4th ODI coming up, Pakistan have a stiff ask in hand.

They need to prove that the win in the second ODI was not a fluke or a dart in the darkness. Moreover, it is the series that gets on the line in the 4th match of the 5-match series. With Australia leading 2-1, the hosts will hope for wrapping up the series with a clinical win in the penultimate match and then try their options in the dead rubber at the 5th ODI. Pakistan, on the other hand, do not get this luxury.

They need to ensure that they put their best foot forward going into the penultimate encounter. They have been boosted by the return of their in-form skipper Azhar Ali.

Team News

Australia

Australians have been clinical in their approach thus far. They have got their basics checked and all departments seem to be going in full throttle. Much to their happiness, skipper Steve Smith has been having a golden run with the bat. The skipper translated his rich vein of form from the Tests to the limited overs setup.

Also read- IND v ENG, 3rd ODI Preview: Eoin Morgan seeks redemption for England in Eden Gardens

Another thing that works in the favour of the hosts is the fact that big name players are yet to step up in the series. The likes of Usman Khawaja and David Warner are itching to make an impact against the Pakistanis. One would believe that a big score is just round the corner for the opening duo. Coming into the fourth game, they have received the beefing up of their bowling attack with Mitchell Starc set to return.

Australia might also be tempted to field in Adam Zampa. The young leggie has been Australia’s most successful spinner in the limited overs in the recent past. However, he is yet to take the field in this series.

Pakistan

The stand-in skipper for the visitors, Mohammad Hafeez, had a mixed bag of time leading the team. He won the match at the MCG but lost at the WACA. Coming to the Sydney ODI, regular skipper Azhar Ali is all set to take the captaincy role again. The major problem for the team management would be of the selection conundrums.

They need to find a slot wherein they can bring back Azhar Ali in the lineup. Asad Shafiq is most likely to sit out and make way for the skipper. Had Babar Azam not struck a fighting fifty in the last match, he would have been the one making way for Azhar Ali. They will also be hoping for their opener Sharjeel Khan to fire.

Sharjeel made it to the national side riding on a big time reputation of a hard hitter in the domestic setup. Notwithstanding, his knock of 152 against Ireland last year remains to be his only standout knock at the international level.

Probable XI

Australia

David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith (C), Travis Head, Peter Handscomb, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Wade, James Faulkner, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa.

Pakistan

Azhar Ali (c), Sharjeel Khan, Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal, Mohammad Rizwan, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Junaid Khan, Hasan Ali.

StAttack

1. SCG has been a happy hunting ground for Pakistan down under. They have won 4 times against Australia at the venue in ODIS.

2. Australia have won the last five matches at the venue against Pakistan.

3. Umar Akmal has scored 2987 runs in his ODI career. He needs 13 runs to reach the 3000-run milestone.

4. The last time Pakistan beat Australia at SCG was in 1997.