Summary Pakistan secured a five-wicket victory in the first ODI in Rawalpindi, thanks largely to an outstanding debut performance by 21-year-old spinner Arafat Minhas
LAHORE (Dunya News) – Pakistan won the toss and elected to bowl first against Australia in the second One-Day International (ODI) at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Tuesday.
Pakistan will aim to seal the three-match ODI series after taking a 1-0 lead with a five-wicket victory in the opening match in Rawalpindi.
Australia, meanwhile, will be looking to bounce back and level the series to keep their hopes alive.
Pakistan's triumph in the first ODI was largely driven by a remarkable debut performance from 21-year-old spinner Arafat Minhas, who claimed five wickets with his left-arm orthodox bowling. The spin-friendly pitch in Rawalpindi exposed Australia's struggles against spin, with Pakistan's slow bowlers accounting for eight wickets.
Conditions in Lahore, however, have traditionally favored batters and have produced several high-scoring contests in recent years. Australia successfully chased 352 against England during last year's Champions Trophy, while Pakistan posted 349 against Australia at the same venue in 2022.
The nature of the pitch remains a major talking point. With the 2027 World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia on the horizon, some experts believe Pakistan should focus on preparing pitches that resemble conditions likely to be encountered in southern Africa rather than relying heavily on spin-friendly home tracks.
Australia are expected to be boosted by the return of leg-spinner Adam Zampa, who missed the opening ODI due to a neck issue. However, the visitors remain without several senior players, including Mitchell Marsh.
Pakistan batter Muhammad Ghazi Ghori said strong performances that contribute to team success naturally increase a player's confidence. He also noted that batting alongside Babar Azam inspires confidence rather than pressure, adding that he is not replacing Mohammad Rizwan, who remains Pakistan's first-choice player.
