Rawalpindi set to host Australia for historic ODI after 28-year hiatus
By Nawaz Gohar ; The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is primed to script a historic chapter on May 30, as it prepares to host the first One Day International (ODI) between Pakistan and Australia on its soil since 1998, ending a nearly 28-year drought.
The 1998 Precedent: To date, Pakistan and Australia have faced each other only once in an ODI at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium—a match in 1998 which saw the visitors secure victory. The upcoming clash on May 30 will be only the second time these two giants meet in a 50-over contest at this venue.
Overall ODI Head-to-Head: Historically, Australia holds a commanding advantage over Pakistan in the ODI format. Out of the 111 matches played between the two sides: Australia Wins: 71, Pakistan Wins: 36 and No Result / Tied: 4.
On-Field Umpires: Pakistan’s Asif Yaqoob and Sri Lanka’s Kumar Dharmasena have been designated as the on-field umpires for this landmark fixture.
Administrative Vigilance: Ahead of the encounter, Additional Deputy Commissioner General Maleeha Sahar conducted a comprehensive site inspection of the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium to finalize security protocols, logistics, and administrative arrangements.
Team Squads.
Pakistan: Fast-bowling spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi captains the hosts, with Salman Ali Agha appointed as vice-captain. The 16-member squad marks the return of linchpins Babar Azam and Shadab Khan. Batters: Babar Azam, Sahibzada Farhan, Abdul Samad, Shamyl Hussain. All-rounders: Salman Ali Agha (VC), Shadab Khan, Maaz Sadaqat.
Wicketkeepers: Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Rohail Nazir. (Regular wicketkeeper Usman Khan is unavailable due to illness). Bowlers: Shaheen Shah Afridi (C), Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas, Sufiyan Muqeem. Absentees: Openers Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub have been ruled out of the series as they undergo injury rehabilitation.
Australia: Elite all-rounder Mitchell Marsh captains a transitioning, youthful Australian squad. Prominent senior figures, including Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc, and Pat Cummins, are rested for this tour. Batters & All-rounders: Mitchell Marsh (C), Marnus Labuchagne, Matt Short, Cameron Green, Matthew Renshaw, Oliver Davies, Liam Scott. Wicketkeepers: Alex Carey, Josh Inglis. Bowlers: Adam Zampa, Riley Meredith, Nathan Ellis, Tanveer Sangha, Matthew Kuhnemann, Billy Stanlake.
Pakistan: Babar Azam: The anchor and backbone of Pakistan’s middle order.
Shaheen Shah Afridi: A lethal left-arm operator crucial for making early breakthroughs with the new ball.
Haris Rauf & Naseem Shah: A dynamic death-bowling duo capable of shifting the momentum in the final overs.
Australia: Mitchell Marsh: The aggressive, hard-hitting captain looking to dominate from the front.
Marnus Labuschagne: A technical maestro vital for stabilizing and anchoring the innings.
Adam Zampa: Australia’s premier spin threat, expected to exploit the subcontinental, spin-friendly tracks.
The highly anticipated ODI series will be contested between May 30 and June 4, with matches scheduled across Rawalpindi and Lahore. Playing on home turf, Pakistan will be fiercely determined to avenge their 1998 defeat and capitalize on home advantage against a young Australian side.
