Australian cricket team went to Pakistan after 24 years on a tour, for 3 Test matches, 3 ODI, and 1 T20I. Both the teams already played 2 test matches out of 3. Both the test match is drawn on batting-friendly flat pitches. The series stands on 0 – 0, and the final match of the series will be played from 21 March to 25 March at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. However, the pitches in both matches are favorable for batsmen, and bowlers were struggle to get the wickets. Even ICC rates the pitch of the first test match below average. Check Pakistan vs Australia 3rd test preview, all you need to know.
Pakistani Batsmen are in red hot form, in the first match they scored 4 centuries. Imam-ul-Haq scored a century in both the innings and even in the second test match Babar Azam (196) and Mohammad Rizwan (104*) scores two brilliant centuries or the historic draw at Karachi. In the Australian side making runs but big innings are still missing they have only one Century from Usman Khawaja. But, as long as all Batman’s are contributing the centuries are not much needed.
Pitch at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Pitch is a big factor in a test match, in two matches players get flat pitches. Which might be the reason for the two draws. The last International Test match host was in 2009, since then Pakistan didn’t host any international Test matches at Lahore. So the data is not sufficient about the pitch for international matches.
However, in the last five domestic matches, the average of fast bowlers is 49.16, while Spinners taking wickets after conceding 56 runs on average.
Changes in the playing 11
Australia might add Jos Hazelwood in the lineup in place of Mitchell Swepson, Swepson failed to take wickets in the 4th inning of the second test match, although he created some chances.
Australia can do one more change which is replacing their fast bowling allrounder Cameron Green with spin bowling allrounder Ashton Agar. Which gives strength to their spin attack.
Pakistan can also replace their spinner Sajid Khan, he seems less effective throughout the series. However, Pakistan doesn’t have any quality spinner on the bench to replace him.
Probable playing XI for Pakistan vs Australia 3rd test
Australia :
- Usman Khawaja,
- David Warner,
- Marnus Labuschagne,
- Steve Smith,
- Travis Head,
- Cameron Green/Ashton Agar,
- Alex Carey,
- Pat Cummins (c),
- Mitchell Starc,
- Nathan Lyon,
- Mitchell Swepson/Josh Hazlewood
Pakistan :
- Imam-ul-Haq,
- Abdullah Shafique,
- Azhar Ali,
- Babar Azam (c),
- Fawad Alam,
- Mohammad Rizwan (wk),
- Faheem Ashraf,
- Hasan Ali,
- Sajid Khan,
- Nauman Ali,
- Shaheen Afridi