The one sided nature of Australian wins over Pakistan continues in the opening ODI on Friday when Australia ran out comfortable winners in Brisbane despite looking in all kinds of trouble early on in the match.
That gave Australia a 1-0 lead in the five match series and they will be aiming to double that lead when the two sides meet in the second ODI in Melbourne on Sunday. Pakistan need to win to realistically stay in the series.
Australia
When Australia were 78/5 with less than 20 overs bowled when they batted first in Brisbane they must have been fearing the worst but some excellent use of the amazing depth they have in their batting got them up past 250 and Pakistan were never once in the run chase allowing Australia to complete that comfortable opening win.
Going into the series we flagged up the quality in this Australia bowling attack and we saw that in droves in the opening match. The pace trio of Mitchell Starc, James Faulkner and Pat Cummins was too much for Pakistan and that is unlikely to change anytime soon.
Pakistan
Much like in a couple of the Test matches, Pakistan got themselves into a good early position in Brisbane and were not able to capitalise on that and that will disappoint them as they need to become a more ruthless side if they are to get to the positions their talent and ability should be residing in.
Admittedly Pakistan were badly hampered by the injury to Azhar Ali in the opening match and their plans heading into the series were disrupted by absentees heading into that first game but they will be disappointed with their batting performance. They have to deliver with the bat if they are to get back into the series.
Team News
Australia may well bring back Josh Hazlewood after he sat out the opening game. It might be that Pat Cummins doesn’t play back to back games. Adam Zampa will hope for a recall on his Big Bash home ground.
Pakistan will be without three of their bigger players. The injury that dogged Azhar Ali in the opening game keeps him out of this one while Sarfraz Ahmed is still back home and Shoaib Malik is still sidelined. Mohammad Hafeez will skipper the side.
Betting
I’ve thought throughout this series that Australia will hit the most sixes and that is what they did in the opening game. I don’t expect that to change here and with three huge batsmen missing I’m not convinced Pakistan have the batting quality to get the job done either.
In the first match Australia to win and hit the most sixes came in for us and I see no reason to shy away from a good thing in this match especially as it is the same price.
Tips
Back Australia most sixes and win for a 4/10 stake at 1.73 with Paddy Power
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