Pakistan vs Australia, 2nd Test: Match Preview, Playing XI and broadcast details

Both teams will head into the 2nd Test with the series still locked at 0-0.

Published - 11 Mar 2022, 22:48 IST | Updated - 11 Mar 2022, 22:48 IST

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The pitch that was prepared for the 1st Test match between Pakistan and Australia garnered as much attention as the action that unfolded in the 1st Test. The pitch was deemed ‘lifeless’, as the batters happily got on top of the bowling.

Over the course of five days, just 14 wickets fell, and over 1100 runs were scored on the Rawalpindi pitch that was used for the 1st Test. The result was a drab draw, and both teams will head to the 2nd Test with the series still level at 0-0.

Pakistan’s Imam-ul-Haq made the most of the opportunity, and scored two hundreds in the Test match, while Azhar Ali and Abdullah Shafique also scored centuries in the Test as well. Australian batters too did not experience any difficulty, as the Pat Cummins-led side scored 459, with as many as four batters scoring half-centuries.

The bowlers were taken out of the equation, as the pitch was tilted completely in favour of the batters. So, we will now head to Karachi, with the series still locked at 0-0, and there is everything to play for both these teams.

Pitch and Conditions

The pitch at Karachi will certainly have some help for the bowlers. Spinners will get the ball to grip here, and the batters will surely not have a troubling time like they did in Rawalpindi.

Playing Combinations for PAK vs AUS

Pakistan

Pakistan are likely to make two changes for this match. Faheem Ashraf will return back to the side and will mostly replace Iftikhar Ahmed. Hasan Ali might get an opportunity in the playing XI in place of Naseem Shah.

Predicted XI: Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam (C), Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Faheem Ashraf, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Hasan Ali/Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi

Australia

Leg spin bowler Mitchell Swepson will make his debut, and will replace Josh Hazlewood in the playing XI. Other than that, the visitors will go in with the same combination from the 1st rubber.

Predicted XI: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (WK), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (C), Mitchell Swepson, Nathan Lyon