Pakistan will face Australia in the fourth one-day international (ODI) at the Dubai International Stadium on Friday (today).
The Green Shirts have already lost the five-match series and are still looking for their first victory. The Kangaroos lead the series 3-0 and are eying a whitewash.
The match will start at 04:00 PM (PST). Out-of-form Shan Masood is likely to be rested as opening batsman Abid Ali will presumably make his ODI debut. Skipper Shoaib Malik is looking forward to avoid fourth consecutive defeat in the series.
On the other hand, young fast bowler Mohammad Hasnain is still waiting for his first ODI wicket after having played two games. Umar Akmal, making a comeback, has also not performed up to the mark.
Despite the series loss to Australia, Pakistan’s bowling coach Azhar Mahmood is upbeat about finding suitable options and trying various combinations ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, which will be played in England and Wales from 30 May to 14 July.
“It is very disappointing for us to have lost the series,” said Azhar. “But, the bowlers have bowled well. You must give credit to Australia. (Aaron) Finch has been phenomenal in this series,” he said.
“There have been positives like Usman (Shinwari), who bowled well on Wednesday,” said Azhar of the left-arm fast bowler who dismissed opener Usman Khawaja in the first over.
“Junaid has come back well, young Hasnain bowled well. We have a few positives in batting with a couple of centuries in Sharjah,” he added.
