Ahead of Pakistan’s second ODI match against Australia on November 8 in Adelaide, there is positive news for the team as fast bowler Naseem Shah has fully recovered from his recent injury.
Sources confirmed that Naseem participated in today’s practice session with the team in Adelaide, and he will be available for selection in the upcoming match.
In the first ODI, Naseem was forced to leave the field due to cramps while bowling. However, with his recovery now complete, the Pakistan team is hopeful for a stronger performance in the second match.
There could be a change in the squad, although the final decision on whether to make alterations has not been made yet. The playing XI will be confirmed tomorrow, after the second practice session.
The team’s selector, Asad Shafiq, is anticipated to consult with the captain and head coach, alongside fellow selectors Aqib Javed, Azhar Ali, Aleem Dar, and Hassan Cheema, before making any decisions regarding changes. The discussions will center around evaluating the pitch conditions in Adelaide.
Upon arrival in Adelaide, the Pakistan team had a rest day, followed by a focused practice session today. The players worked on addressing key areas, such as batting, bowling, and fielding weaknesses.
Historically, Pakistan has not had much success in Adelaide, with only one win in eight matches played there. The sole victory came in 1996 under the leadership of Wasim Akram, when Pakistan triumphed by 12 runs. Saqlain Mushtaq played a pivotal role in the win with a five-wicket haul.
The most recent ODI in Adelaide took place on August 26, 2017, when Australia secured a 57-run victory after posting a challenging target of 369 runs. David Warner’s 179 and Travis Head’s 128 guided Australia, with their opening partnership amassing 284 runs.
Pakistan’s response, led by a century from Babar Azam and 79 runs from Sharjeel Khan, fell short, reaching 312 runs.
After a narrow defeat in the first ODI, Pakistan are expected to make changes to their lineup ahead of the second match against Australia in Adelaide on November 8.
The team arrived in Adelaide from Melbourne on Tuesday afternoon following a long flight and has since been resting before their crucial second encounter in the three-match series.
Pakistan’s squad is set to hold a practice session tomorrow, with speculation growing over potential lineup changes. According to sources close to the team, Pakistan is considering adding a regular spinner to their playing XI for the second ODI.
Spinners Faisal Akram and Arafat Minhas are available for selection, and one of them could be included in the team, potentially at the expense of either fast bowlers Naseem Shah or Mohammad Hasnain. Naseem Shah, who suffered from cramps during the first ODI, is reported to be feeling better but could be given a rest to accommodate a spin option in the attack.
The first ODI, played in Melbourne, saw Australia secure a hard-fought two-wicket victory. Pakistan struggled to post a competitive total, finishing with 203 runs in 46.4 overs. Mohammad Rizwan was the top scorer with a gritty 44 runs off 71 balls, while fast bowler Naseem Shah contributed a vital 40 runs off 39 balls to help Pakistan reach a modest target.
Australia’s response was led by Pat Cummins, whose steady innings anchored the chase. Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, Australia reached the target of 204/8 in just 33.3 overs. Pakistan’s bowling, led by Haris Rauf (3 wickets) and Shaheen Afridi (2 wickets), showed promise, but costly extras—21 runs in total, including 17 wides and 4 leg byes—played a crucial role in the defeat.
Rizwan’s decision to field an all-pace attack in the first match did not pay off as hoped, as the bowlers were unable to control the extras in a low-scoring game.
