PAK vs AUS: Pakistan’s Predicted Playing XI Against Australia, Pakistan vs Australia, 3rd Test

PAK vs AUS: Pakistan’s Predicted Playing XI Against Australia, Pakistan vs Australia, 3rd Test. Pakistan and Australia will battle against each other in the 3rd Test of the ongoing series. Pakistan vs Australia 3rd Test is set to begin at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on March 21 (Monday)

Pakistan will be pleased with the way their captain and the other batsman handled the situation in the second test match on a day 5 pitch at Karachi. The top order looks solid and both are openers are in great form.

The concern for Pakistan is their bowling attack, especially the fast bowlers who haven’t been able to perform as expected. Nauman Ali has been impressive with his bowling and is the leading wicket-taker in the series with 7 wickets.

PAK vs AUS: Pakistan’s Predicted Playing XI Against Australia, Pakistan vs Australia, 3rd Test

Openers: Abdullah Shafique and Imam Ul Haq

The Pakistani opening duo showed nightmares of the Australian bowling attack in the first test match. Imam ul Haq has been in top form scoring two hundred and the youngster Abdullah Shafique scored an unbeaten 136 runs in the 2nd innings of the first test match. He then scored another 96 runs in the 2nd innings of the 2nd test match. The openers have been the top two run-scorers for Pakistan in the series.

Middle-Order: Azhar Ali, Babar Azam, Mohmmad Rizwan

The middle-order batsman Azhar Ali scored a majestic 185 in the first innings of the first test match. He failed to perform in the 2nd test match. Pakistan captain Babar Azam who comes in at number 4 has been in sublime form. He scored a match-saving 196 runs in the 4th innings in Karachi. Babar along with Mohmmad Rizwan put on a 100 run partnership to end the match in a draw as they played out the entire day 5. Rizwan scored 104* in the 4th innings of the second test match.

All-rounders: Fawad Alam and Faheem Ashraf

Fawad Alam hasn’t done much in the test series. Alam entered the record books as the first player to not score a run, take a wicket and neither take a catch in test cricket. In the second test, he failed to score in both innings. Faheem Ashraf has been good with the ball bowling 140 plus consistently but he hasn’t been able to take wickets. He picked up 2 wickets in the first innings of the 2nd test match. He hasn’t contributed with the bat as well. Pakistan will be hoping that he comes good in the third test match.

Bowlers: Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Hasan Ali, and Shaheen Afridi

The bowling attack of Pakistan hasn’t been effective as they conceded more than 450 plus runs on both occasions. Nauman Ali has been the only bowler who has been able to pick up wickets. Shaheen Afridi failed to pick up wickets with the new ball. The fiery Hasan Ali has struggled too. He has picked up 2 wickets so far in the test series. The pitch at Lahore favours fast bowlers and the fast bowling duo will look to take advantage of the conditions. Nauman Ali will be key to Pakistan on days 3,4 and 5 as the pitch offers spin.