Pakistan vs Australia 2nd ODI Preview & Squads

Pakistan are riding high after a clinical five-wicket victory in the 1st ODI in Rawalpindi. They chased down Australia's total of 200 with 45 balls to spare and never really looked in trouble. Arafat Minhas was the standout performer of the match, taking 5 wickets for 32 runs with the ball before finishing unbeaten with 18 off 17 with the bat to earn the Player of the Match award. Babar Azam anchored the chase beautifully, scoring 69 off 94 balls with 4 fours and a six, calmly guiding Pakistan home when the innings needed steadiness and composure. Australia will need to regroup fast. Pakistan will want to seal the series. This Pakistan vs Australia 2nd ODI preview covers everything you need to know before the next ball is bowled.

Recent Form of Both Teams

Pakistan enter the 2nd ODI with momentum firmly on their side. The 1st ODI win was comprehensive and the manner of the victory, both with the ball and in the chase, will give Pakistan enormous confidence heading into this match. They are playing controlled, purposeful cricket at home and Australia will need to find answers quickly.

Australia suffered a disappointing defeat in the series opener and must now avoid going two down with one match to play. They were restricted to 200 batting first and then watched Pakistan knock off the target without too much trouble. Australia are a quality side but they have not yet found their best cricket on this tour.

Pakistan vs Australia Head to Head Record

Date	Result	Winner
30-May-2026	Pakistan won by 5 wickets (45 balls remaining)	Pakistan
10-Nov-2024	Pakistan won by 8 wickets (139 balls remaining)	Pakistan
08-Nov-2024	Pakistan won by 9 wickets (141 balls remaining)	Pakistan
04-Nov-2024	Australia won by 2 wickets (99 balls remaining)	Australia
20-Oct-2023	Australia won by 62 runs	Australia

Pakistan have now won three consecutive completed ODIs against Australia. Australia have not beaten Pakistan in bilateral ODI cricket since November 2024. The pressure is firmly on the touring side heading into this 2nd ODI.

Players to Watch in Pakistan vs Australia 2nd ODI

Several key players from both sides could shape the outcome of the Pakistan vs Australia 2nd ODI. Batters and bowlers from both camps are expected to play decisive roles across all phases of the match.

Pakistan Players to Watch

Arafat Minhas is the man of the moment for Pakistan after his extraordinary all-round display in the 1st ODI. Taking 5 wickets for 32 runs and then finishing the chase unbeaten was a performance that announced him as a genuine match-winner at this level. Australia will have studied him closely but stopping him a second time will be no easy task.

Babar Azam was at his composed and elegant best in the 1st ODI chase. He scored 69 off 94 balls, threading boundaries at the right moments and never allowing the asking rate to become a concern. His recent form shows 279 runs in 7 matches at an average of 46.50 and a strike rate of 74.79. When Babar bats like that, Pakistan are almost impossible to beat. Australia know they must find a way to dismiss him cheaply.

Salman Agha remains Pakistan's most dangerous batter in current ODI form with 428 runs in 10 matches at an average of 61.14 and a strike rate of 95.32. He did not need to do too much in the 1st ODI chase but he will be hungry for a big contribution in this match.

Haris Rauf is Pakistan's most potent pace bowling threat. He has taken 16 wickets in 7 recent matches at a strike rate of 19.37 and an economy of 5.50. His ability to bowl at the death and generate genuine pace makes him extremely difficult to score against in the final overs.

Australia Players to Watch

Josh Inglis is Australia's captain and most dangerous batter. Australia need him to fire at the top of the order in this 2nd ODI. A big innings from Inglis is the most likely way Australia can post a competitive total or chase one down.

Matthew Short has been Australia's standout batter in recent ODI cricket with 250 runs in 6 matches at an average of 41.67 and a strike rate of 85.32. He offers Australia an aggressive option at the top of the order and could be the player who changes the momentum of this series if he gets going in Rawalpindi.

Alex Carey brings consistency and reliability to Australia's batting order. He has scored 245 runs in 9 matches at an average of 35.00 and a strike rate of 95.70. Carey is a trusted performer in pressure situations and his wicketkeeping adds tactical value for Australia throughout the game.

Adam Zampa was not at his most dangerous in the 1st ODI and will be looking to make a much bigger impact here. He has taken 15 wickets in 8 recent matches at a strike rate of 29.13 and an economy of 5.96. On Pakistani surfaces he remains Australia's biggest threat with the ball and Pakistan's batters cannot afford to take him lightly.

Nathan Ellis gives Australia genuine pace and aggression with the ball. He has taken 8 wickets in 9 recent matches and will be looking to make early inroads against Pakistan's top order if Australia bowl first.

Batting Stats

Player	Team	Matches	Runs	Average	Strike Rate
Salman Agha	PAK	10	428	61.14	95.32
Babar Azam	PAK	7	279	46.50	74.79
Matthew Short	AUS	6	250	41.67	85.32
Alex Carey	AUS	9	245	35.00	95.70

Bowling Stats

Player	Team	Matches	Wickets	Economy
Haris Rauf	PAK	7	16	5.50
Adam Zampa	AUS	8	15	5.96
Abrar Ahmed	PAK	6	13	4.60
Nathan Ellis	AUS	9	8	5.70

Pakistan vs Australia 2nd ODI Squads

Both teams are expected to name their squads for the Pakistan vs Australia 2nd ODI shortly. Australia may look at making changes after their defeat in the 1st ODI while Pakistan could be tempted to stick with the same winning combination.

Pakistan Squad

Shaheen Shah Afridi (c), Salman Agha (vc), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Ghazi Ghori, Haris Rauf, Maaz Sadaqat, Naseem Shah, Rohail Nazir, Sahibzada Farhan, Shadab Khan, Shamyl Hussain, Sufyan Moqim.

Pakistan are likely to stay with the same squad after their convincing 1st ODI win. Arafat Minhas has cemented his place after his match-winning all-round display. Shaheen Shah Afridi's bowling attack has the variety and firepower to trouble Australia again.

Australia Squad

Josh Inglis (c), Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Riley Meredith, Oliver Peake, Matt Renshaw, Tanveer Sangha, Liam Scott, Matthew Short, Billy Stanlake, Adam Zampa.

Australia will need to assess whether changes are required after their 1st ODI defeat. Matthew Short's recent batting form makes him a strong candidate for a bigger role in this match. Adam Zampa will be expected to deliver a much more impactful performance with the ball in this crucial contest.

Conclusion

This Pakistan vs Australia 2nd ODI preview points to a contest where Australia must find their best cricket or face a series defeat on Pakistani soil. Pakistan have been outstanding in the 1st ODI and will back themselves to finish the job here. Australia arrive under pressure knowing another defeat could end their hopes. With match-winners on both sides and plenty at stake, fans can expect a fiercely contested battle in Adelaide. Catch every ball, every breakthrough, and every turning point live on tapmad as this crucial Pakistan vs Australia showdown unfolds.