Day-Night Test, Australia vs Pakistan: Preview, key battles and more
Australia are set to host Pakistan in a Day-Night Test match at the Adelaide Oval, starting Friday. The hosts won the first Test in Brisbane by an innings and five runs. Earlier, the Aussies named an unchanged team for the second Test. Pakistan have serious work to do against an in-form Australian side. Here's the preview and key battles.
Australia were terrific in the first Test and bossed the match in Brisbane. The likes of David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne scored match-winning hundreds. The pacers also chipped in with a lot of wickets. Pakistan could ring in a few changes after being outplayed at the Gabba. It's a crucial Test for the Asian side in terms of the ICC World Test Championship.
Australia have played five Day-Night Tests so far and have a 100% record. Therefore, they are the favorites to seal a victory. Pakistan have played three Day-Night Tests. They have won once and lost twice. Notably, this is the 13th Day-Night Test in cricket.
Pat Cummins was terrific in the first Test and claimed five scalps. He was instrumental on both occasions against Pakistan opener Shan Masood, who got scores of 27 and 42 respectively. Cummins foxed Masood with a superb length ball in the first innings and then got him playing a rash pull shot next. The pacer also got Asad Shafiq twice with two dream deliveries.
Mitchell Starc claimed seven scalps in the first match and will be Australia's prime bet in the D/N Test. Starc's approach against Babar Azam will be key. The Pakistani batsman scored a valiant century in the second innings and has an interesting ask against the left-arm pacer. With the ball expected to swing more, the battle between bat and ball will delight fans.
The Day-Night Test between the two sides is scheduled to start at 9:00 AM IST. The match will be telecast live on the Sony Ten Network. The pitch is expected to be a bit drier and there will be plenty of help for the pacers. Dream11: Warner (captain), Masood, Smith, Babar (vice-captain), Labuschagne, Rizwan (wk), Yasir, Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood and Afridi.
