Adelaide Oval pitch report: What to expect ahead of second ODI between Pakistan and Australia

Pakistan will be looking to bounce back from a heart-breaking defeat in the opening match of their three-match ODI series against Australia when they face off in the second encounter at the iconic Adelaide Oval on Friday.

Under the leadership of Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan had a narrow loss in the series opener, falling short by just two wickets. After opting to bat first, the visitors were restricted to a modest 203-run total.

Key contributions came from captain Rizwan, Babar Azam, and Naseem Shah, who all played crucial roles in setting a foundation. However, it was the remarkable spell from Haris Rauf that kept Pakistan alive in the contest, with the fast bowler's fiery pace challenging the Australian batsmen.

Despite Rauf's heroics, Australian captain Pat Cummins held his nerve and guided his team to victory with a vital cameo, securing the win in the dying moments.

As the two teams prepare for the must-win clash, all eyes will be on the surface at Adelaide Oval. The ground has hosted 86 ODI matches to date, with the team batting first winning 46 times and the team chasing down the target emerging victorious 38 times.

In recent games at the venue, the average score for the team batting first has been a competitive 276, while the team batting second averages 265 runs. The pitch at Adelaide Oval typically sees an average runs-per-over rate of 4.71, reflecting a steady scoring pace throughout.

The pitch is expected to offer some early seam movement to fast bowlers with the new ball, but the surface is generally known for not providing excessive bounce. Once the initial phase is weathered, batters can expect to capitalize on the favourable conditions and post a challenging total. Spinners might also find some turn, but the flatter pitch and short square boundaries will keep the batsmen engaged throughout the innings.

Australia currently leads the three-match ODI series 1-0, with the second match scheduled to take place in Adelaide on Friday, November 8.