Time: 2 Apr, 3.30 PM IST
Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Pitch Report
Close to 700 runs were scored in the last game as Pakistan chased down a challenging total of 348. The conditions are unlikely to change. The batters will continue to rule the roost.
Teams
Probable XI for Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (c), Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Zahid Mahmood
Probable XI for Australia: Aaron Finch (c), Travis Head, Ben McDermott, Marnus Labuschagne, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey (wk), Cameron Green, Sean Abbott, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Mitchell Swepson
Fantasy Tips
We have opted for a fantasy cricket team based on the recent performances, overall impact, and credit points.
Power Players
After slamming two consecutive hundreds, Imam-ul-Haq has now become the leading run-getter (209) in the series. Having taken a liking to the Australian attack on this tour, he has registered 4 hundreds and a fifty.
Babar Azam played a captain’s knock (114 off 83) to seal the deal for his side in the second ODI. In his last 10 innings, he has blasted 4 hundreds and 3 fifties. His recent run makes him a perfect pick as a captain or vice-captain in fantasy leagues.
For Australia, Travis Head’s aggressive batting (190 runs) at the top has been a huge plus. The southpaw has taken the attack to the Pakistani bowlers. In addition to his audacious stroke play, he also picked 2 wickets in the first ODI.
Although Australia lost the second ODI, Ben McDermott shone with the bat by scoring his maiden century. He also got 55 in the opening game of the series.
With a four- and two-wicket haul in the first two games, Adam Zampa is leading the wicket-taking column. The leggie is enjoying bowling on the abrasive wickets and will remain the No.1 strike bowler for the tourists.
Smart Picks
After missing out in the first match, Shaheen Afridi finished with 4 for 50 in the second. If Pakistan are to win the series, they will need their ace bowler to strike big.
Fakhar Zaman missed out on the scoring opportunity in the first game but managed to get 67 in the second. If he cuts loose in the decider, Australia will have a hard time stopping him.
The visitors will also need contributions with both bat and ball from all-rounders Marcus Stoinis and Cameron Green. Between them, they have added 120 runs and picked a solitary wicket.
It’s been a hard toil for the seamers at Lahore. That said, Australia will need early and regular breakthroughs from Sean Abbott.
Khushdil Shah is a utility cricketer in fantasy cricket. Besides batting in the middle-order, he can also be called upon to break partnerships.
Match Preview
Not only did Pakistan produce their highest successful run chase in the ODIs but they also arrested their 10-match losing streak to Australia in the 50-over format. The tourists will enter the final game with all the required confidence. All said, the series is beautifully placed and should make for an intriguing contest.