Pakistan vs Australia, 3rd ODI preview, likely XIs: Australia look for another away series win

Australia are suddenly unstoppable. The closer they are to the World Cup, the stronger they get. After their victory in the second ODI in Sharjah, they have a 2-0 lead. Win in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, 27 March, and they would have defeat India and Pakistan in consecutive away series. That too with David Warner and Steven Smith yet to return their ranks.

Aaron Finch, their captain, has timed his return to form to perfection. On Sunday, he hammered a career-best 153* to help the visitors topple a 285-run target in 47.5 overs. What stood out in Finch’s knock wasn’t the belligerence – the knock took in 143 balls – you usually associate with Finch, but the way he paced his innings.

With Warner – who impressed at his IPL comeback – and Smith set to return sooner rather than later, this Australian side will pose legitimate claims to the World Cup trophy. As Finch said the other day, Australia are “never truly underdogs at world tournaments”.

Pakistan, meanwhile, have work to do. They haven’t really been outclassed so far, but Australia have seemed a better unit. Bowling is Pakistan’s traditional strength, but the Australian batsmen have twice bossed the chase, and the Pakistan management will need to do something different in Abu Dhabi to tackle them.

They need to soon enough, given the series is on the line.

Head to head

In the overall head-to-head records, Australia are head and shoulders above Pakistan – out of 100 matches, they have won 64.

In the United Arab Emirates, Australia and Pakistan have clashed against each other in 16 ODIs. Australia have the better record in those clashes, with ten wins. In fact, Pakistan have never beaten Australia in a bilateral ODI series.

Advantage Australia.

Venue details

Australia and Pakistan have clashed in five ODIs at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Australia have won three of those matches, including the last one in 2014. However, they have lost two of their last three to Pakistan at this venue, so the hosts do have some hope.

Key players

Imam-ul-Haq (Pakistan): The Pakistan opener has five centuries and as many half-centuries in 23 matches, but in his last three ODIs, he’s managed scores of 8, 17 and 0. That means a big one is around the corner, and he’s one to watch out for in Abu Dhabi – he averages 78.25 at this venue in ODIs, and has a century and two half-centuries in five matches here.

Aaron Finch (Australia): Finch went 12 ODI innings without reaching three figures till this series. Now he has two in two. The Australian captain has hit form again, and that only spells danger for Pakistan. The host bowlers will need to step up and get Finch to doubt himself again – it’s the only way to get him when he’s in this mood.

Likely XI

Pakistan: Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Umar Akmal, Shoaib Malik (c), Faheem Ashraf, Imad Wasim, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Abbas.

Australia: Usman Khawaja, Aaron Finch (c), Glenn Maxwell, Shaun Marsh, Marcus Stoinis, Peter Handscomb, Alex Carey (wk), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Kane Richardson, Nathan Lyon, Adam Zampa.

Prediction

Australia to seal another series win against Pakistan in the UAE