Australia has a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, but the first 50-over clash at the MCG hardly went all their way as captain Pat Cummins was again called on to steer his side home with the bat.

Cummins arrived at the crease with Australia needing 49 runs to reach their modest 204-run target but with only three wickets in hand as Pakistan quick Haris Rauf ripped through the middle order with a fiery spell. Then, as we’ve almost come to expect from the ice-cool Cummins, Australia’s chasemaster played a typically composed knock for an unbeaten 32 from 31 balls to reach the mark for the loss of only one more wicket.

Pakistan can take hope from the pace of Rauf (3/67), Shaheen Shah Afridi (2/43) and Naseem Shah (1/39) shaking up Australia’s chase though they will likely want to pitch the ball up more in Adelaide than they did in Melbourne. Both sides will be looking for more from their top order this time and it remains to be seen whether Australia’s young openers Jake Fraser-McGurk (16) and Matt Short (1) are immediately on the front foot again, after coming under fire for their short-lived all-out attack in the first ODI.

Pakistan will be looking to bounce back and level the series in the second ODI, which is scheduled to take place in Adelaide on November 8.

The Pakistan cricket team has arrived in Adelaide from Melbourne for the second ODI match against Australia, following their narrow defeat in the first ODI in Melbourne.

After a long flight, the Pakistan squad touched down in Adelaide on Tuesday afternoon, where they took some much-needed rest before the crucial encounter.

Pakistan will hold a practice session tomorrow ahead of the match, with all eyes on possible lineup changes after their defeat in Melbourne. Sources close to the team have revealed that Pakistan is considering the inclusion of a regular spinner in their playing XI for the second ODI.

The squad includes spinners Faisal Akram and Arafat Minhas, and if a spinner is added to the team, either fast bowlers Naseem Shah or Mohammad Hasnain could be rested.

Naseem Shah, who struggled with cramps in the first match, is reportedly feeling better but may be given a break in favor of introducing spin to the attack. This could provide a fresh option to Pakistan's bowling strategy as they look to level the series.

The first ODI saw Australia clinch a hard-fought victory by two wickets. Pakistan struggled to build a strong total, finishing at 203 runs in 46.4 overs.

Australia, in reply, lost wickets at regular intervals but were anchored by Pat Cummins, whose steady knock helped the hosts reach the target of 204/8 in 33.3 overs.

The decision to field an all-pace attack, made by Rizwan, did not pay off as expected, with the bowlers unable to control the extras in a low-scoring contest.

The Pakistan team had a rest day, followed by a focused practice session. The players worked on addressing key areas, such as batting, bowling, and fielding weaknesses.

Historically, Pakistan has not had much success in Adelaide, with only one win in eight matches played there. The sole victory came in 1996 under the leadership of Wasim Akram, when Pakistan triumphed by 12 runs. Saqlain Mushtaq played a pivotal role in the win with a five-wicket haul.

Ahead of Pakistan's second ODI match against Australia on Nov 8 in Adelaide, there is positive news for the team as fast bowler Naseem Shah has fully recovered from his recent injury.

Sources confirmed that Naseem participated in today's practice session with the team in Adelaide, and he will be available for selection in the upcoming match.

In the first ODI, Naseem was forced to leave the field due to cramps while bowling. However, with his recovery now complete, the Pakistan team is hopeful for a stronger performance in the second match. There could be a change in the squad, although the final decision on whether to make alterations has not been made yet. The playing XI will be confirmed tomorrow, after the second practice session.

The team's selector, Asad Shafiq, is anticipated to consult with the captain and head coach, alongside fellow selectors Aqib Javed, Azhar Ali, Aleem Dar, and Hassan Cheema, before making any decisions regarding changes. The discussions will center around evaluating the pitch conditions in Adelaide.

ADELAIDE, Australia (AP) — Pakistan won the toss and elected to field in the second one-day international against Australia on Friday at the Adelaide Oval.

Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood replaced Sean Abbott in the only change Australia made from the team which edged Pakistan by two wickets in the first game Monday.

Captain Pat Cummins will be hoping to wrap up the three-match series before Australia goes to the final game at Perth on Sunday without five frontline players.

Mitchell Starc, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Cummins and Hazlewood all will be rested ahead of five-test series against India, starting Nov. 22 in Perth.

Wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis was named interim captain for the last ODI at Perth. He will also lead the side in next week’s three T20s against Pakistan after Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head both were on paternity leave.

Pakistan retained the same playing XI which nearly pulled off an upset win. Fast bowler Naseem Shah recovered from cramps and was declared fit as the visitors continued to field a four-pronged pace attack, led by Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf.

Lineups:

Australia: Matt Short, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa.

Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Kamran Ghulam, Salman Ali Agha, Irfan Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain.

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket