Australia vs Pakistan Preview & Prediction | 1st One-Day International

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Australia’s home international summer gets underway with a three-match ODI series against Pakistan, the first of which takes place here at the world famous MCG.

DATE/TIME: Sunday 3rd November 2024: US EST – 10:30pm / US PST – 7:30pm / Monday 4th November 2024: UK – 3:30am

VENUE: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia

WEATHER: Sunny with light winds and temperatures in the mid-twenties.

HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – TNT Sports / US – Willow TV 

HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – discovery+ / US – Willow TV

AUSTRALIA FORM: HOSTS TUNE UP BEFORE CHAMPIONS TROPHY

Australia’s last ODI cricket was an extremely competitive five-match series in England, eventually won by the Aussies 2-3 after they were pegged back by England, having taken a two-game lead. The hosts are without both Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh, both of whom are on paternity leave. All-rounder Cameron Green also misses out, in his case through injury.

PAKISTAN FORM: RUST EXPECTED AFTER YEAR-LONG ODI HIBERNATION

You have to go all the way back to last Autumn’s ICC Cricket World Cup for the last time Pakistan played this format of the game. They come into this game with a new white ball captain, Mohammad Rizwan having been appointed. Babar Azam, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi are also included, as is Salman Agha. 

AUSTRALIA BETTING ANALYSIS

Australia’s bowlers will hope to utilise any extra bounce afforded to them at the MCG, particularly Mitchell Starc. The left-arm speedster is an explosive outlet whether it be in the powerplay, middle orders or at the death, with his natural ability to take wickets through such unrelenting pace. Back Starc to make a big impact here with over 1.5 match match wickets.

PAKISTAN BETTING ANALYSIS

To be named captain will have been a source of huge pride for Mohammad Rizwan and he is a player with undoubted class in white ball cricket. His penchant for scoring big runs is very high and on what should be a good pitch for batting, it would be no surprise to see Rizwan mark the occasion with a substantial score. Therefore, consider backing him to record 30+ runs via the ‘Batter Milestones market’.

AUSTRALIA VS PAKISTAN EXPERT PREDICTION

It will surely take time for Pakistan to adapt back to the rigours of 50-over cricket with it having been so long since they’ve played this format. Australia though, do not have such worries and with home advantage in their favour, this further increases their chances of success across this series. Back Pat Cummins’ side to pick up victory here in Melbourne.

AUSTRALIA VS PAKISTAN TIP: AUSTRALIA TO WIN