Series of loses coupled with injury issues continue to hit Pakistan badly and now the tourists would be led Muhammad Hafeez in second one day international (ODI) against Australia in Melbourne on Sunday in the absence of Captain Azhar Ali and Vice-Captain Sarfaraz Ahmed.
Azhar Ali suffered hamstring injury in first ODI in Brisbane; therefore he was ruled out of second and third ODIs. Sarfaraz Ahmed along with Muhammad Irfan had already returned to home over personnel issues.
Report in from @PTVNewsOfficial that @AzharAli_ will not be playing the 2nd ODI tomorrow due to hamstring injury @MHafeez22 will be captain
— PTV Sports Official (@PTVSp0rts) January 14, 2017
On the other hand, the experienced Shoaib Malik still hasn’t recovered as he also couldn’t play the first ODI due to throat infection. His inclusion in second ODI is also unlikely.
Having faced consecutive defeats against Aussies in Australia in any format since 2005, Pakistan grabbed an opportunity to turn the tide in its favour when the Host’s five batsmen while batting first in first ODI had returned to pavilion for just 78 runs but yet tourists lost the match in the end by 92 runs.
Matthew Wade’s Century helped Australia set the target of 269 runs in 50 overs but Pakistan was bowled out for 176.
The defeat sparked a strong criticism over Pakistan’s unremitting poor performance as even the Head Coach Mickey Arthur once again lashed out at ‘old-style’ batting by Pakistani batsmen.
For second ODI at Melbourne Cricket Ground, where Aussies have won last nine consecutive 50-over games, Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood may replace Billy Stanlake. Whereas Asad Shafiq may find his place in Pakistani playing XI as replacement of Azhar Ali.
Pak vs Australia 2nd ODI: Watch in-depth pre-match analysis with the Cricket legends tomorrow morning at 6:30 am on #PTVSports #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/fuMSUvqYOl
— PTV Sports Official (@PTVSp0rts) January 14, 2017
