News

Australia bring in Connolly for Sangha and bat in decider

Tanay Hughes · 04/06/2026 · 3 min read

High Stakes at the Gaddafi Stadium

In a pivotal moment for the ongoing ODI series, Australia have opted to bat first after winning the toss in the third and final match against Pakistan at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The atmosphere in Lahore is electric, as both teams look to secure a series win in this decisive encounter. The toss, originally scheduled for earlier, was delayed by 15 minutes due to a sudden heavy shower, adding a layer of suspense to the build-up.

Tactical Adjustments and Team News

Australia have made a strategic change to their playing XI, as Australia bring in Connolly for Sangha and bat in decider. Cooper Connolly steps into the side to provide more balance, replacing spinner Tanveer Sangha. Meanwhile, Pakistan has opted for stability, heading into the match with an unchanged side from their previous outing. Despite the pitch being described as fresh, both captains have indicated that they expect the surface to provide assistance to the spinners as the game progresses.

Josh Inglis, captaining the Australian side, expressed confidence in the team’s ability to set a competitive total. Referring to their performance in the previous game, where a total of 231 proved sufficient to stifle the Pakistani batting lineup, Inglis noted, “It will be similar to last night and we had a good total.” Conversely, Shaheen Shah Afridi is looking for a disciplined bowling display from his team. His objective for his side is clear: restrict the Australians to a score under 200, a feat they successfully accomplished during the first ODI in Rawalpindi, which ultimately led to a comfortable chase.

Weather and Conditions

Unlike the sweltering and humid conditions seen during the second ODI on Tuesday, the weather in Lahore for this decider has been notably more pleasant. A strong, cooling wind is blowing across the ground, which may influence the swing and movement for the fast bowlers early on. The Gaddafi Stadium, known for its passionate crowds, provides a fitting backdrop for such a high-stakes finale.

The Playing XIs

Both teams have fielded balanced squads to navigate the nuances of the Lahore pitch. Here is the lineup for both sides:

Pakistan

Sahibzada Farhan
Maaz Sadaqat
Babar Azam
Ghazi Ghori (wk)
Salman Ali Agha
Abdul Samad
Shadab Khan
Arafat Minhas
Shaheen Shah Afridi (capt)
Haris Rauf
Abrar Ahmed

Australia

Matt Short
Josh Inglis (capt & wk)
Marnus Labuschagne
Alex Carey
Cameron Green
Matt Renshaw
Cooper Connolly
Oliver Peake
Matt Kuhnemann
Nathan Ellis
Adam Zampa

As the match gets underway, all eyes will be on whether the Australian batting order can navigate the tricky spin options of Abrar Ahmed and Shadab Khan, or if Pakistan’s pace battery led by Shaheen Afridi can dismantle the top order early. With the series on the line, every run is crucial, and the tactical battle between the two captains will likely define the outcome of this series-deciding contest.

Tanay Hughes

Tanay Hughes is a senior cricket correspondent for the Daily FT, Sri Lanka’s leading financial daily. Of Burgher descent, Hughes grew up steeped in the island’s rich literary and cricketing traditions. He covers the national team, the World Test Championship, and the domestic circuit with a special focus on spin bowling and the transformation of cricket infrastructure after the civil war. His work also explores the business side of the sport, including broadcasting deals and the financial pressures on smaller Test-playing nations. A Colombo native and University of Colombo graduate, Hughes is a regular voice on Sri Lankan television panels and contributes to The Cricketer and Wisden online.