Time: March 29, 3:30 PM IST
Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Pitch Report
The conditions in Lahore will be hot, with temperatures touching 38 degrees. As witnessed in the final Test, the pitch will be dry and will provide some reverse-swing as the ball gets old.
Teams
Probable XI for Pakistan: Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam (c), Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Iftikhar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Asif Afridi, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf
Mitchell Marsh and Steven Smith have been ruled out due to injuries, while Josh Inglis has tested positive for COVID-19.
Probable XI for Australia: Aaron Finch (c), Ben McDermott, Marnus Labuschagne, Travis Head, Marcus Stoinis, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Adam Zampa, Nathan Ellis
Fantasy Tips
We have opted for a fantasy cricket team based on the recent performances, overall impact, and credit points.
Power Players
Babar Azam ranks No. 1 in ICC ODI Rankings for batters. Since October 2020, he has scored three fifties and two fifties in nine ODIs.
In the absence of experienced batters, the onus of scoring the bulk of the runs will be on the emerging Marnus Labuschange. In 13 ODIs, he has managed 473 runs comprising a hundred and three fifties. He batted with calm and composure against the spinners in the Test series, collecting 170 runs in three games.
With 588 runs at 45, Fakhar Zaman was the highest run-scorer in the Pakistan T20 League. In ODIs, he has scored 2,325 runs at an average of 47 and a strike rate of 95. Picking him often fetches the fantasy players some extra points for his boundaries and strike rate.
Aaron Finch has impressive numbers against Pakistan. His last six scores against them read 116, 153*, 90, 39, 53, and 82.
Smart Picks
Barring the second Test, Imam-ul-Haq batted exceptionally well. His 370 runs included two hundreds and a fifty. For that matter, he has been in good form across formats. He has scored three fifties in his last six ODIs.
Adam Zampa has taken 15 wickets in his last 10 competitive games. Against Pakistan, he has taken a three- and a four-wicket haul in seven ODIs.
Shaheen Shah Afridi has been in brilliant form this season. He was the highest wicket-taker in the Pakistan T20 League and sniped up 9 wickets in the Test series.
Ben McDermott was the highest run-scorer – 577 runs at a strike rate of 153 – in the Australian T20 League. The onus of counterattacking, in the absence of David Warner, will be on him.
Mohammad Rizwan is an all-or-nothing player against Australia. He has two hundreds and eight seven scores below 25.
Sean Abbott, who is known for maintaining a steady line and length, is known for striking at crucial intervals. He strikes at 27.8 in List A cricket.
Match Preview
While Pakistan are playing a full-strength side, Australia will be without the services of their experienced players. In terms of balance, Pakistan seem to be ahead in the race. However, we witnessed how Australia fought in the Test series. There’s no reason to write off the visitors.
