An opening stand of 126 in 25 overs is the sort of situation that spawns a strong total from the batting side. In Pakistan’s hands, however, it produced a batting implosion that merely underlined the painful struggles the team’s batting has faced since their Sri Lanka tour.
With the team management struggling to explain the collapses, all Misbah-ul-Haq can do to keep some confidence alive is exhort his batsmen to put up a better performance because a win in the final game isn’t merely a question of pride anymore. Given the gap between the ODI series and the Tests, a win here could carry Pakistan into the five-day format in a relatively better frame of mind. They may, however, find themselves without a key player after Wahab Riaz picked up an injury in the second match.
Australia’s success has been built on their quick adaptation to local conditions. Glenn Maxwell’s innings in the last game is another positive for the team and he has also contributed well with the ball. While the spinners have found assistance on the low, slow tracks, Mitchell Johnson has said that the fast bowlers are also working on getting some reverse swing to work for them.
Form guide
(most recent first, completed matches only)
Australia WWLWL
Pakistan LLLLW
In the spotlight
With 225 runs in 10 matches this year at an average of 22.50, and scores of 0 and 15 in the series, Misbah-ul-Haq will know that he hasn’t quite pulled his weight in the line-up as a senior batsman. The Pakistan captain’s abilities to anchor an innings has been missed in the series so far.
As Australia’s lead spinner in the series, Nathan Lyon has enhanced his chances as a World Cup contender with his frugal bowling. A double-wicket maiden in the first ODI helped turn the game in their favour and he has been the side’s most economical bowler in the series at 3.65 runs an over.
Team news
Wahab Riaz is in doubt after picking up a leg cramp in the second ODI. Pakistan may also opt to make a change in the top order, bringing in either Sohaib Maqsood or Umar Amin.
Pakistan (probable) 1 Ahmed Shehzad, 2 Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), 3 Asad Shafiq/Umar Amin/Sohaib Maqsood, 4 Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), 5 Umar Akmal, 6 Fawad Alam, 7 Shahid Afridi, 8 Wahab Riaz/Sohail Tanvir, 9 Raza Hasan, 10 Zulfiqur Babar, 11 Mohammad Irfan
Australia may opt to retain the same XI that won the second ODI.
Australia (probable) 1 David Warner, 2 Aaron Finch, 3 Steven Smith, 4 George Bailey (capt), 5 Glenn Maxwell, 6 James Faulkner, 7 Brad Haddin (wk), 8 Mitchell Johnson, 9 Kane Richardson, 10 Xavier Doherty, 11 Nathan Lyon
Pitch and conditions
The last time Pakistan and Australia played an ODI in Abu Dhabi, the visitors struggled to cope with high humidity. It’s unlikely to be comfortable, with temperatures expected to stay near the 37-degree mark along with an increase in humidity in the evening. Dew could become a factor in the second half of the game.
Stats and trivia
In their last four ODIs, going back to the second ODI against Sri Lanka, Pakistan’s batting collapses have read – 6 for 41, 7 for 55, 5 for 47, 10 for 89
Mitchell Johnson has 6 for 64 in two games so far. His best performance in a three-match bilateral series is 7 for 144 against Bangladesh in 2011.
Pakistan’s win-loss ratio against Australia in ODIs is 0.55, their second-worst against a Full Member, after South Africa (0.48)
Quotes
“I am there to be the aggressor and still try and bowl and hit the wicket hard and bowl those bouncers as well.”
Australia fast bowler Mitchell Johnson has no intention of easing up against the Pakistan batsmen