Pakistan spin king Saeed Ajmal has caused Australia’s batsmen all sorts of problems in this One-Day international series and he holds the key ahead of the decisive third game in Sharjah on Monday.
Ajmal has picked up seven wickets for just 62 runs in the two matches so far, with the series now locked at 1-1 as the Pakistanis look for their first series victory over Australia in 10 years.
However, Australia are preparing for Ajmal ahead of the decider, with David Hussey telling reporters they’d have a go at the tricky off-spinner.
“I know all the boys are watching a lot of video on how to read him and how to play him differently,” Hussey said. “Kumar Sangakkara plays him a totally different way to the way the Australians play him.
“He’s a fantastic bowler. But we have to change our game plan. We’re defending him a little bit. Maybe the best form of defence is attacking him. We’ve seen the Sri Lankans play him, we’ve seen the Indians play him, and we might think that’s the better route to go.”
Australia have floated the possibility of a new opening two, with Matthew Wade and David Warner struggling for runs at the top of the order, while Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi is a doubt for the decider with a back problem which forced him out of the second game.
Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq hinted his side could play a fourth spinner while he also expected the Aussies to hit back after their defeat in the second game.
“Australia are a top side. So, we have to play really well in the next game. They will come hard at us and we have to get ready for the next game,” Misbah told reporters.