Australia will take on Pakistan in the first ODI of a three-match series at Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne. Ahead of the match, let’s take a look at Australia vs Pakistan 1st ODI Match Preview, AUS vs PAK Dream11 Prediction, Melbourne pitch report, and fantasy cricket tips.
Australia entered this ODI series buoyed by a recent 3-2 series win against England in September. They are looking to continue their momentum with players like Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, and Mitchell Starc, all of whom bring both experience and versatility to the squad. This series also serves as an important preparation step for the Champions Trophy, making each match critical for building team cohesion.
Pakistan, on the other hand, come into this series after a dramatic turnaround in their recent Test series against England at home, where they recovered from an early loss to clinch a 2-1 victory on challenging, spin-heavy pitches. It’s been nearly a year since Pakistan’s last 50-over outing, and under the leadership of Mohammad Rizwan, they’ll look to make a strong statement. With key players like Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi, Pakistan aims to build a solid foundation as part of their Champions Trophy preparations.
MCG Pitch Report
The Melbourne Cricket Ground provides a well-balanced surface for white-ball cricket, with its larger boundaries adding an extra challenge for batters. The average first-innings score at this venue stands at 222, and teams batting first have come out on top in 78 of the 160 ODI matches played here.
Related 10 Questions About Rohit Sharma Every Fan Wants to Know
Australia Playing 11
Steve Smith, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Josh Inglis (wk), Marcus Stoinis, Aaron Hardie, Pat Cummins (c), Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc
Squad: Pat Cummins (c), Sean Abbott, Cooper Connolly, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa
Pakistan Playing 11
Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (c&wk), Kamran Ghulam, Salman Ali Agha, Aamir Jamal, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Hasnain
Squad: Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (WK), Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Rizwan (c&wk), Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi
Related 10 Questions About MS Dhoni Every Fan Wants to Know
AUS vs PAK Top Fantasy Picks
- Steve Smith (AUS): Smith’s aggressive approach and experience at the top make him an invaluable asset for Australia. In 163 ODI matches, he has scored 5583 runs at an average of 43.62, including 12 centuries. Known for his ability to dominate the opposition bowlers early on, Smith’s performance will be crucial in setting a strong foundation against Pakistan.
- Shaheen Afridi (PAK): Shaheen’s ability to swing the new ball and deliver yorkers at pace makes him a formidable force. With 104 wickets in 53 ODI matches at an average of 23.94, he is the backbone of Pakistan’s bowling attack. His skill in utilizing early movement will be key for Pakistan in putting pressure on the Australian batsmen.
- Marnus Labuschagne (AUS): Labuschagne’s consistent form and resilience make him one of Australia’s most reliable batsmen. With 1756 runs at an average of 37.26 across 57 ODI matches, he’s proven his prowess in adapting to varying conditions. His aptitude for steadying the innings is expected to be pivotal in this series.
- Babar Azam (PAK): Babar’s elegance and run-scoring ability anchor the Pakistani batting lineup. In 117 ODI matches, he has accumulated 5729 runs at an average of 56.72, including 19 centuries. His skill in both attack and defense makes him a prime choice for a top multiplier pick.
- Pat Cummins (AUS): Cummins’s seam bowling brings quality to Australia’s bowling lineup, with his ability to exploit pace and bounce making him a match-winner. With 141 wickets in 88 ODI matches, he’s a constant threat, especially on Melbourne pitches. His experience and adaptability make him an essential pick in this game.
Related 10 Questions About Virat Kohli Every Fan Wants to Know
AUS vs PAK Dream11 Prediction
Small League Team
Mega League Team 1
Mega League Team 2
Australia vs Pakistan ODI Head to Head
Australia and Pakistan have played 108 ODI matches against each other, with Australia holding the edge with 70 wins, while Pakistan has managed 34 wins, and three games have ended without a result.
Where Can I Watch AUS vs PAK ODI Series 2024?
You can catch the exciting Australia vs Pakistan ODI series live for free on Fancode if you’re in India. For TV viewers, the action will be on Kayo Sports.
Related Wives of Indian cricketers
