LAHORE: Pakistan will have an opportunity to wrap up the three-match One-day International series when they face Australia in the second fixture at the Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday, while the tourists will be desperate to revive the contest after being outclassed by spin in the opener at Rawalpindi.
The hosts took a 1-0 lead on Saturday courtesy of a commanding performance led by debutant all-rounder Arafat Minhas, whose left-arm orthodox spin dismantled Australia’s batting line-up on a sluggish surface. The 21-year-old claimed five wickets as Pakistan’s slow bowlers accounted for eight dismissals, exposing a long-standing Australian vulnerability against quality spin in subcontinental conditions.
The teams now move to Lahore, where conditions have historically favoured batsmen. The venue has produced several high-scoring encounters in recent years, including Australia’s successful chase of 352 against England during last year’s Champions Trophy and Pakistan’s pursuit of 349 against Australia in 2022.
Whether Pakistan opt for another turning track or a more balanced surface has become a major talking point. With the 2027 World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia still 16 months away, some observers have argued that Pakistan should prioritise preparing for conditions expected in southern Africa rather than exploiting home advantage.
Pakistan’s white-ball head coach Mike Hesson, however, has dismissed such suggestions.
“I’ve been hearing a bit of chatter about the pitches here in Pakistan not being the ideal preparation for the World Cup in South Africa,” Hesson said in a social media post on Monday.
The former New Zealand coach stressed that conditions across the three host nations would vary considerably.
“The myth of all pitches in South Africa being quick and bouncy are just not true,” he noted, adding that Zimbabwe and Namibia also featured venues where spin was likely to play a major role.
“Rest assured we have completed significant research and will be using the next 18 months to prepare for a variety of conditions,” Hesson said.
Pakistan’s victory in Rawalpindi was also notable for another assured performance from wicketkeeper-batter Ghazi Ghouri, who has made an impressive start to his international career.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Ghazi credited former captain Babar Azam for helping him navigate a crucial stage of the chase in the opening match.
“There’s a different kind of confidence when you’re batting with a player like Babar Bhai,” the youngster said. “He told me to keep rotating the strike and not worry if a few dot balls came because we didn’t need too many runs at that stage. When a senior player like him is at the crease, things become easier.”
Ghazi also reiterated that he was prepared to bat wherever required by the team.
“My job as a cricketer is to play wherever the team needs me,” he said. “Wherever the captain and coach think I can contribute best, that’s where I’ll bat.”
While Pakistan are likely to retain the combination that delivered victory in Rawalpindi, a change remains possible if conditions appear more favourable for pace. Fast bowler Naseem Shah is in contention for a recall, while Ahmed Daniyal and wrist-spinner Sufyan Moqim provide alternative options.
Australia, meanwhile, arrived in Pakistan with several senior players unavailable and have approached the tour as an opportunity to assess emerging talent in challenging conditions. However, the visitors know they must improve quickly if they are to prevent Pakistan from sealing the series.
Left-arm spinner Matt Kuhnemann acknowledged that Australia had been second-best in the opening game and expected another stern examination from Pakistan’s slow bowlers.
“I’m expecting something similar to the last wicket — a bit of turn,” Kuhnemann said after training in Lahore. “We know what we’re going to come up against this time, so hopefully we can do one better.”
The spinner praised Pakistan’s performance in Rawalpindi and admitted Australia had fallen short with both bat and ball.
“I think the Pakistan team bowled beautifully,” he said. “We would have liked 20 or 40 more runs because that would have been very competitive on that wicket. We just need to bat and bowl a little bit better.”
Kuhnemann also played down suggestions that Australia were already focusing on the next World Cup.
“For our team right now, we’re just thinking about winning this series in Pakistan,” he said. “There’s no real surprise when we come here and get spinning wickets. It’s about being able to perform on those wickets.”
Australia could be boosted by the return of leg-spinner Adam Zampa, who missed the first ODI because of a neck problem. Kuhnemann described the veteran as a “world-class” performer whose leadership would be valuable for a relatively inexperienced squad.
The tourists continue to be without several established names, including Mitchell Marsh, but Kuhnemann insisted there was enough quality within the current group to respond.
“There is still some amazing talent in this team,” he said. “We’ve got experience on these types of wickets and now it’s about putting the right performance together.”
With temperatures expected to climb towards 38 degrees Celsius and a potentially batting-friendly surface on offer, another intriguing contest awaits. Pakistan stand one victory away from a significant series triumph, while Australia must quickly solve the spin puzzle that unravelled them in Rawalpindi if they are to keep the series alive.
Published in Dawn, June 2nd, 2026