Pakistan vs Australia, 1st ODI, Match Prediction – Weather Report, Pitch Conditions, Playing XIs and Live Streaming Details

It is predicted to be a cloudy day in Sharjah on Friday with the humidity levels high during the afternoon.

Published - 21 Mar 2019, 14:41 IST | Updated - 21 Mar 2019, 14:41 IST

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Australia will be playing its last five ODIs before the World Cup 2019 against Pakistan. The Aussies have been playing a great brand of cricket of late. The players are stepping up just at the right time as they have managed to clinch the ODI series against India in India 3-2 after being down 0-2 early on. With boosted confidence, they will be eyeing to do the same when they play in the UAE as well.

Pakistan, though, will play five more matches against England after this series. They will look to finalise their combinations in these five games. The last time the ‘Men in Green’ played an ODI series, they were beaten 3-2 by South Africa. The team, captained by Shoaib Malik in the absence of Sarfaraz Ahmed, will be looking to address a few batting issues heading into this series.

Pitch and Conditions

The UAE track isn’t a high scoring one by any means. With the temperatures soaring up in the last few days, cracks on the pitch are expected to open up. This will assist the spinners as the ball will grip and turn. It is predicted to be a cloudy day in Sharjah on Friday with the humidity levels high during the afternoon.

Team Combinations

Pakistan

Pakistan rested a few of its important players for this series. Thus, this will give the team an opportunity to test their reserves before they finalise the World Cup squad. Shoaib Malik will be leading the side in the absence of Sarfaraz Ahmed. Haris Sohail and Umar Akmal are likely to get an opportunity. Mohammad Abbas is back after injury and it is important to test his fitness. Either him or Usman Shinwari will make it into the final eleven.

Predicted XI: Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood, Haris Sohail, Umar Akmal, Shoaib Malik (C), Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Usman Shinwari/Mohammad Abbas.

Australia

The Australian side looks pretty much similar to what it was against India. Glenn Maxwell seems to be an uncertainty heading into this game. If he is unfit, Shaun Marsh will get a go. It will be a toss-up between Nathan Coulter-Nile and Jhye Richardson. Australia is likely to go ahead with the former. They will also look to play both the spinners – Nathan Lyon and Adam Zampa.

Predicted XI: Usman Khawaja, Aaron Finch (C), Shaun Marsh/Glenn Maxwell, Peter Handscomb, Marcus Stoinis, Ashton Turner, Alex Carey (WK), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Adam Zampa.