Pakistan vs. Australia, 1st ODI: Date, Live Stream, TV Info, Preview

After Australia won the only Twenty20 in Dubai, the two teams switch gears and head for the one-day format on Tuesday.

Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium

Commences: Tuesday, Oct. 7

Start time: 11 p.m. BST (2 p.m. local, 5 p.m. ET)

Live on: Zee Cinema (UK), Fox Sports (Australia)

Weather:  It's going to be blistering hot, according to AccuWeather.com, with temperatures expected to reach around 37 degrees Celsius. That will create a whole extra challenge for players as exhaustion and dehydration can all lead to cramps.

Overview

Glenn Maxwell was the unlikely hero for Australia in the only T20 against Pakistan. His spinning exploits earned him three wickets and saw Pakistan restricted to 96-9 in their 20 overs on Sunday. Australia completed their chase in just 14 overs, with David Warner hitting the bulk of the runs, scoring 53 off 39 at the top of the order.

One-day cricket, of course, is somewhat different to the hit-and-giggle format, and it will take more concentration. Pakistan's coach, Waqar Younis, expressed his concern at his side's batting following the big loss.  He was quoted by ESPNCricinfo as saying:

"

Losing early wickets, it was not easy after that. And full credit to the Australians, they bowled well, they bowled to the plan and they came out good. I think there was nothing wrong with the pitch, it just spun a little more than usual.  The major focus for us is how are we going to deal with 50 overs? We have to make sure that we bat 50 overs. It was disappointing what happened today.

"

With Saeed Ajmal banned from bowling due to a dodgy action, Pakistan will have to find a way to compensate for their match-winner. For Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq, it's time to move, according to Cricbuzz.com: "It's really difficult to fill Ajmal's gap because he has been the number one or two bowler in the one-day rankings, but if Ajmal is not there we must try to fill his gap and move forward."

Raza Hasan picked up two wickets in Pakistan's T20 defeat, but they will also have to make do without the experience of Mohammad Hafeez, who is ruled out with a hand injury. Australia are not without casualties either. There's no Michael Clarke, Shane Watson or Mitchell Marsh, all nursing varying degrees of niggles, according to Cricbuzz.com.

The series is important for both squads as preparations for the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand kick into high gear for all teams involved. Not only does this offer insight into the opposition, but it’s also a chance to finalise teams for the contest.

On paper, Australia should win the series. But Pakistan have the magical ability to surprise teams when they least expect it, with or without their star players. 

Key players

Pakistan

Misbah-ul-Haq is Pakistan's tried and tested batsman. Whenever his team is in trouble, Misbah tends to perform. He has a chance to do so again now, and the ODI format suits him quite well.

Australia

David Warner is always a threat no matter where he plays in the world. His half-century in the T20 will have given him a boost of confidence and will have the Pakistan bowlers drawing straws to bowl to him.

Teams (per Cricbuzz)

Pakistan: Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), Ahmed Shahzad, Sami Aslam, Umar Akmal, Fawad Alam, Umar Amin, Asad Shafiq, Sohaib Maqsood, Sarfraz Ahmed, Shahid Afridi, Raza Hasan, Mohammad Irfan, Anwar Ali, Wahab Riaz, Junaid Khan, Zulfiqar Babar.

Australia: George Bailey (capt), David Warner, Aaron Finch, Steven Smith, Phil Hughes, Glenn Maxwell, Brad Haddin, James Faulkner, Sean Abbott, Kane Richardson, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon.