Pakistan vs. Australia, 2nd ODI: Date, Live Stream, TV Info, Preview

Australia drew first blood in this three-game ODI series with a convincing 93-run win over Pakistan at Sharjah.

With the action moving to Dubai, can the hosts fight back, or will George Bailey's men take another step toward completing an impressive series and give their World Cup preparations another boost?

Venue: Dubai, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai, UAE

Date: Friday, Oct. 10, 2014

Start time: 3 p.m. local time, 12 p.m. BST

Weather: According to bbc.co.uk it is going to be a scorcher. With temperatures reaching 102 degrees Fahrenheit roundabout the time the game is due to begin, the players and fans won't want to forget their suncream.

Live stream/TV Info: Zee Cinema (UK), Fox Sports (Australia)

Preview

If the World Cup wasn't on the horizon, these ODIs would be almost warm-up games ahead of the Test series, but given that the ICC's flagship tournament is just a few months away, they have become more important.

So Pakistan will be desperate to bounce back from the comprehensive beating they took at the hands of Australia in Sharjah.

The host (although Pakistan are still playing their home games in the UAE) nation's skipper, Misbah-ul-Haq, seemed to point the finger at the batsmen.

"I think sometimes you just lose confidence, and at the moment that's what is happening with our team," Misbah said, per espncricinfo. "We need one or two good innings to just get back on track. At the moment it's really not coming from anyone."

And whether it is the Mitchell Johnson effect or a lack of match practice stemming from the five-week gap between the Sri Lanka series and the arrival of the Australians, runs have been scarce lately.

Prior to their 162 all out in Sharjah, Pakistan managed just 96 in the solitary Twenty20 with 13 single-figure scores being recorded across the two games. 

But their bowling attack—minus the suspended Saeed Ajmal and injured Junaid Khan—looked toothless also, so the whole team will need to raise their game in Dubai.

For the Aussies, things are bubbling along nicely with a well-balanced and deep-batting side making their tag as World Cup favourites looking increasingly sensible.

Even the absence of Michael Clarke—ruled out with a hamstring injury—didn't matter with Steven Smith's maiden ODI century helping his side post a match-winning total after Aaron Finch's fell to the first ball of the match.

The baby-faced 25-year-old is just one member of a powerful batting line-up that boasts multiple players, from one to eight, who are capable of clearing the ropes at any time.

Throw in Johnson's pace, bounce and fear factor, Nathan Lyon's underrated spin and the ever-improving Kane Richardson, and Pakistan will have to play very well to get back into the series.

These two sides have contested 90 ODIs since 1975 with the Australians winning 55 and losing just 31 times.

Squads

Pakistan (from): 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, Zulfiqar Babar.

Australia (from): 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.

Players to Watch

Pakistan

Umar Akmal looked in good nick at the Champions League Twenty20 and followed this up with a fluent 46 at Sharjah. The stylish right-hander is still just 24 years old and finally looks to be putting his troubles and inconsistency behind him.

Australia

Despite Steven Smith's maiden ton, England's tormentor in chief, Mitchell Johnson, looks in ominous form. He only bowled seven overs, but his pace proved too much for three Pakistani batsmen while conceding just 24 runs. Alastair Cook and Co. will be looking on nervously already.

Prediction

The UAE's lack of Subcontinental conditions combined with the absence of Saeed Ajmal and the excellent batting surfaces suggest one of the Pakistanis will have to produce something special here to upset the Aussies.