Pakistan vs Australia, PAK vs AUS, Today Match Prediction 04 March 2022

pak vs aus Match Prediction & Analysis

Pakistan would take on Australia in the 1st Test Match of the historic Test series at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The Australian team is touring Pakistan after 23 years and both sides would look to do take an early lead in this historic series. The real contest here would be between the Australian batsmen and Pakistani spinners. 

The Australian team has struggled in the subcontinent for almost a decade. They have won just two Test matches since 2013. Their batsmen would find the turning tracks challenging. Pakistanis have had a good record at home in the last three years. Both sides have good players and we are likely to see a good contest in this game. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Pakistan Preview

Babar Azam’s side had won a close series against Bangladesh earlier this year. The side has enjoyed a good record at home in the last couple of years. However, this would be a different challenge as Australians are the toughest side touring Pakistan since Test cricket returned to Pakistani soil. Azam would like his players to perform at their best and take an early lead in the series.

Abdullah Shafique is likely to have a new partner in Shan Masood and the pair would need to stand up against Australia’s strong bowling attack. The middle-order has the experience of Azam and Azhar Ali which adds to their side. Mohammad Rizwan, Fawad Alam, and Faheem Ashraf shall aim to play important roles for the side to win this game.  

Their bowling attack would face a big challenge against some of the best batsmen in the world. Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah will have to make good use of the new ball. Sajid Khan and Nauman Ali are likely to find assistance from the track and they will need to trouble Aussies with their variations. 

Pakistan Predicted Playing XI:

Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Abdullah Shafique, Azhar Ali, Fawad Alam, Faheem Ashraf, Nauman Ali, Naseem Shah, Sajid Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Shan Masood

Pakistan Actual Playing XI:

Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, Nauman Ali, Naseem Shah, Abdullah Shafique, Fawad Alam, Imam-ul-Haq, Shaheen Afridi, Azhar Ali, Sajid Khan

Australia Preview

Pat Cummins would be confident coming on this tour. They had a good summer at home defeating England in the Ashes. Most of their players did perform well in that series. The conditions in Pakistan would be way different. The Australians have struggled in Asia in recent years and Cummins would aim to improve that record with a win here. 

David Warner and Usman Khawaja have to set up a good opening wicket stand for the side. Warner is fighting for his place in the Test side and a good show is expected from him. Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne solidify the middle order and have to build partnerships for the side to win. Travis Head, Alex Carey, and Ashton Agar add to the side’s strengths down the order. 

Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have to make use of the new ball as the ball isn’t expected to do much once it gets old. Nathan Lyon would be the most important bowler for the side and he would look to do well with Agar in the middle overs. The side would also like to see good spells from Cameron Green. 

Australia Predicted Playing XI:

Pat Cummins (c), Marcus Harris, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Mitch Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

Australia Actual Playing XI:

Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Usman Khawaja, Steven Smith, David Warner, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

It would be clear skies over Rawalpindi on the first two days and we expect to see some rain on the 4th and 5th days. Batting conditions are expected to be good with some movement for the fast bowlers in the morning session. Spinners would enjoy it once the ball gets old. A total of 375 runs or more in the 1st innings would be a good total here.

Venue Details

Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium has a typical subcontinental surface. The wicket is flat and batsmen have scored runs easily here in the past. Fast bowlers have to rely on their skills and variations with little on the surface for them. Spinners enjoy bowling here as the wicket offers assistance.

Toss: To Bat

The wicket would be good to bat on during the first two days. Like any typical subcontinental track, it would start turning from Day 3. Chasing a 4th innings total on this surface would be a challenge. The side winning the toss here should have no hesitation in batting first.