The Australia vs Pakistan ODI series is about to begin. Ascores will bring you a pre-match analysis of the first ODI, providing the recent performance of both teams, Head-to-Head, Predicted Playing XI, and match Prediction for your reference.
Match Overview
Teams: Australia vs Pakistan
Series: Pakistan tour of Australia, 2024–25 (1st ODI)
Date and Time: November 4, 2024, 11:30 AM (IST)
Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia
The MCG is known for its balanced conditions, though it generally offers some bounce that suits fast bowlers early in the innings. Batting may become easier as the game progresses, making it favorable for teams to chase.
Weather Report
Conditions: Partly cloudy with a chance of mild showers in the afternoon.
Temperature: Expected to be around 22-25°C.
Rain Chance: Approximately 10-15%, which could slightly interrupt play but is unlikely to be a major disruption.
Team Form and Analysis
Australia (Last 5 ODIs)
Australia has been in good form recently, especially at home. Their top-order batting lineup has shown consistency, with players like David Warner and Steve Smith scoring heavily. Their bowling attack, led by Mitchell Starc and Adam Zampa, has also been strong, particularly in defending totals.
Pakistan (Last 5 ODIs)
Pakistan has had mixed results in their recent ODIs, with issues in middle-order stability and occasional lapses in fielding. However, the return of key players like Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Mohammad Rizwan adds depth to both their batting and bowling, making them competitive in Australian conditions.
Predicted Playing XI Australia (1st ODI)
Notes:
• Adam Zampa may be included if there's a need for more spin options, depending on the pitch conditions.
• Sean Abbott could replace any of the allrounders if a more pace-heavy attack is required.
• The final lineup may also depend on the conditions at the venue and the opposition's strengths.
Predicted Playing XI Pakistan (1st ODI)
Notes:
• Kamran Ghulam could be included if Pakistan opts for an additional allrounder in place of one of the batsmen.
• Arafat Minhas or Faisal Akram could come into the bowling attack depending on pitch conditions favoring spin or pace.
Head-to-Head
In the recent five matches, Australia has a slight advantage, winning three.
Best Batsman
Australia: Steve Smith has been in consistent form and is adept at building innings, making him a solid candidate for the best batsman.
Pakistan: Babar Azam is likely to be Pakistan's standout performer with the bat, considering his recent form and technique.
Best Bowler
Australia: Mitchell Starc's pace and swing could make him a significant force, especially if Australia bowls first.
Pakistan: Shaheen Afridi's left-arm pace could trouble Australia's top-order batsmen, especially under cloudy conditions.
Toss Prediction and Match Outcome
Australia Batting First: If Australia bats first, they might post a competitive score of 280-300, leveraging the batting-friendly nature of the MCG. They could be favored to defend this total, given their bowling lineup.
Pakistan Batting First: Pakistan may score around 260-280 if they bat first. However, facing Australia's pace attack on the MCG could be challenging. Australia would likely be favored to chase down a total in this range.
Australia is the favorite to win the first ODI, considering their home advantage, strong lineup, and recent form. However, Pakistan's pace attack, led by Afridi, could pose a significant challenge, particularly if they manage to exploit the early conditions effectively.