Pakistan choose to bat against Australia

Australia have recalled left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty for Friday’s second one-day clash in Dubai.

Pakistan have won the toss and will bat first in sunny conditions with a top of 38 degrees forecast.

Doherty comes into the side for young seamer Sean Abbott who claimed 1-25 on debut in Tuesday’s opening game in Sharjah.

Australia lead the three-match series one-nil, placing pressure on Pakistan to keep the series alive with an improved batting performance on Friday after collapsing for 162 in Sharjah.

Doherty’s inclusion on a pitch expected to favour the slow bowlers gives Australia a three-pronged spin attack including offspinners Nathan Lyon and Glenn Maxwell, who took two wickets each in Sharjah.

Doherty had claimed seven wickets in four matches for the Hobart Hurricanes in the Champions League T20 in India, which ended last weekend.

He then headed to Australia and then being called up to the one-day squad in the UAE. He trained with the squad on Thursday in Dubai.

Pakistan have also a third frontline spinner, recalling left-armer Raza Hasan for pace bowler Anwar Ali.

Teams:

Australia: George Bailey (capt), David Warner, Aaron Finch, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Brad Haddin, James Faulkner, Mitchell Johnson, Kane Richardson, Xavier Doherty, Nathan Lyon.

Pakistan: Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), Ahmed Shehzad, Asad Shafiq, Umar Akmal, Fawad Alam, Sarfraz Ahmed, Shahid Afridi, Raza Hasan, Wahab Riaz, Zulfiqar Babar, Mohammad Irfan.

Stay up to date with the latest sports news
Follow our social accounts to get exclusive content and all the latest sporting news!