Australia vs Pakistan 3rd ODI Preview – 3rd September

The series is currently tied between Australia and Pakistan as they have both won a game each. It has come to the decider which again will be played in Sharjah and it is tough to pick a favourite for the match. There have been two fairly close games which have been completely different to each other.

If Australia bowl the way they did in the 2nd ODI it will make it a lot easier for Pakistan to win the ODI series. If Pakistan bat poorly like they did in the 1st ODI then Australia should be all over them.

Match Information :

September 3, Sharjah

 Starting Time: 1800 Local Time (1400 GMT Time)

Key Contest:

Mitchell Starc vs Nasir Jahshed

Mitchell Starc started off the series against Pakistan very well picking up a 5 wicket haul but in the 2nd ODI he was part of the bowling attack that leaked runs which influenced the result of the match favouring Pakistan. Starc will have a huge influence on this match, Australia no longer have Brett Lee who was very good at the start of the innings or the old Mitchell Johnson so Starc needs to step up into a senior role. Nasir Jahshed got the Pakistan fans on their feet in Dubai as he went so close to scoring his 2nd ODI hundred falling only 3 runs short. His innings set the Pakistan innings up to chase a good score of 248 set by the Australian’s. Jahshed or Hafeez need to have a big contribution early on so that the middle order isn’t put under as much pressure as they were in the 1st ODI.

Team News:

Abu Dhabi: Star Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridi will play the third and the final One Day International (ODI) against Australia at Sharjah, after he recovered from the back pain.

Pakistan played very well in the 2nd ODI but their could be a few changes made to the bowling attack. Aizaz Cheema could be brought back for Sohail Tanvir who has leaked 106 runs from 17 overs also going wicketless in the 2 ODI’s so far.

Saeed Ajmal has taken 7 wickets for the hosts and Australia don’t have a well recognised spinner in the XI at the moment. The bowlers went for runs last match and a change should be made to bring Xavier Doherty in for either Mitchell Johnson or Daniel Christian.