Pakistan eyes historic ODI series win against Australia

PERTH: The Pakistan men’s national cricket team is set to face Australia (Pak vs Aus) in the third one-day international (ODI) at Opus Stadium in Perth, Australia with a chance to secure a series victory on the Australian soil for the first time in two decades.

The last time Pakistan achieved this milestone was in 2002, a lengthy period characterised chronic issues faced by the Men in Green against a formidable Australian side.

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 Key Australia players including Pat Cummins, Josh Hazelwood, Mitchell Stare, Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith will be absent from the upcoming match.

The absence provides Pakistan with a great opportunity, especially coming off a great nine-wicket win over the Kangaroos in Adelaide.

This would be a much-needed win for the Green Shirts after a year of disappointing losses, including one of biggest upsets in the sport’s history – losing to United States in T20 World Cup.

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Pakistan’s bowling lineup will be led by Haris Rauf, with Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah expected to exert tough pressure on the hosts.

The absence of opener David Warner has also left the Kangaroos with a relatively inexperienced top order. Openers Matt Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk are expected to face a difficult encourter against Pakistani bowlers’ fast attack.

Australian squad will be led by Josh Inglis, who steps into the captaincy role amid huge changes to the Australian squad. The team will have to rely on players such as Sean Abbot, Marcus Stoinis and Spencer Johnson as they aim to regain momentum in the series.

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The stakes are high for both, but particularly for Pakistan, as this match (Pak vs Aus) represents not only a chance to win but to reclaim some badly needed confidence.