Australia vs Pakistan 2nd ODI Today Match Prediction and Preview: AUS has a slight advantage overall

The Pakistan tour of Australia 2024 continues with the second ODI on November 8 at the Adelaide Oval. Australia has the advantage of home conditions, which traditionally favor their playing style, but Pakistan's ability to deliver unexpected performances keeps this series unpredictable.

Team Form Analysis

• Australia: Australia's recent form shows a promising record with three wins and two losses (W-W-L-L-W) in their last five ODIs. Their batting lineup, led by experienced players like Steven Smith and David Warner, combined with the bowling strength of Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, makes them formidable. Playing at home, they will be looking to consolidate their performance and dominate in familiar conditions.

• Pakistan: Pakistan's last five ODIs include two wins and three losses (L-L-W-W-L). Despite the mixed results, Pakistan has proven they can bounce back under pressure, with Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan being pivotal in their batting lineup. The Pakistani bowlers, especially Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf, have the potential to challenge Australia's strong batting order if they strike early.

Australia Predicted Playing XI: Here is the predicted lineup for Australia

Pakistan Predicted Playing XI: The following is the Pakistan team's lineup

Key Players to Watch

• Australia: Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne are key players in the batting lineup, expected to anchor the innings. Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins bring crucial experience and effectiveness to the bowling attack, particularly in Australian conditions.

• Pakistan: Babar Azam is crucial in the top order and is expected to lead the team's scoring. Shaheen Shah Afridi can be a game-changer with the new ball, aiming to exploit any early movement to trouble Australia's top order.

Head to head

In the last five matches, Australia has the upper hand, winning three of them.

Match Predictions

• Best Batsmen:

For Australia, Steven Smith or Marnus Labuschagne are likely to be high scorers, with their ability to play long innings under pressure.

For Pakistan, Babar Azam remains a vital contributor, while Mohammad Rizwan could support with consistent middle-order performances.

• Best Bowlers:

For Australia, mitchell Starc and Adam Zampa are expected to lead in the bowling department, with Starc targeting early breakthroughs and Zampa managing the middle overs with spin.

For Pakistan, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf are anticipated to play key roles, especially with Afridi's swing and Rauf's pace.

• Player of the Match:

Potential candidates include Steven Smith or Mitchell Starc for Australia, and Babar Azam or Shaheen Shah Afridi for Pakistan.

• Toss Prediction and Strategy:

The winning team at the toss may choose to bat first, aiming to post a challenging total, considering Adelaide's batting-friendly pitch. A target of 300+ could be ideal, putting pressure on the chasing side under floodlights in a day-night encounter.

• Overall Match Outcome Prediction:

Australia appears to have a slight edge, given their recent form and the advantage of playing at home. However, Pakistan's talented players, especially in the bowling department, have the potential to disrupt Australia's momentum if they perform consistently. This match could see a tightly contested battle, with Australia as the marginal favorites, but a Pakistani victory cannot be ruled out if their top order fires and the bowlers capitalize on any early breakthroughs. Ultimately, this article prefers Australia to win.