Pakistan vs Australia 3rd ODI Match, Dream 11 Prediction, Fantasy Cricket Guide

Aditya Rao · 04/06/2026 · 4 min read

pakistan vs australia 3rd odi 03 06 2026

The Deciding Clash in Lahore

The ODI series between Pakistan and Australia has reached a thrilling conclusion. After a competitive opening and a dominant response from the visitors in the second encounter, the series stands at 1-1. All eyes now shift to the third and final match scheduled for June 4 at the historic Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. This decisive game is not just about the series trophy; it is a testament to the tactical adjustments made by both coaching staffs and the individual brilliance of key players who have defined this tour.

Analyzing the Recent Form

Pakistan enters this fixture with a point to prove. Despite their bowling unit consistently performing under pressure, the batting lineup faltered in the second ODI, failing to build substantial partnerships. Players like Babar Azam, Sahibzada Farhan, and Salman Ali Agha carry the weight of expectations. To clinch the series, the top order must provide a solid foundation for the middle-order hitters like Shadab Khan, who showed resilience in the previous match with a gritty 71.

Australia, on the other hand, will be buoyed by their successful comeback. Their victory in the second ODI was a clinical display of disciplined bowling and measured batting. With Nathan Ellis leading the charge with a four-wicket haul and Josh Inglis anchoring the innings, the Australian team has proven that they are well-equipped to handle the conditions in Lahore.

Pitch Report and Toss Conditions

The pitch at Gaddafi Stadium has proven to be a demanding surface. It is relatively slow with low bounce, rewarding patience over aggressive shot-making. Batters who can work the gaps and rotate the strike will find more success than those looking to clear the boundaries immediately. Conversely, the surface provides significant assistance to the bowlers. Given the historical data at this venue, where teams batting first have secured victory in five of the last nine head-to-head encounters, the toss will be crucial. Expect the captain winning the toss to elect to bat, aiming to post a defendable total.

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Key Players for Your Fantasy XI

When curating your side for this Pakistan vs Australia 3rd ODI Match, Dream 11 Prediction, Fantasy Cricket setup, focus on players who have demonstrated consistency throughout the series:

Babar Azam (Pakistan): Despite a rare failure in the second game, his pedigree as a match-winner makes him an automatic inclusion. He will be looking to lead from the front.
Nathan Ellis (Australia): The standout bowler of the series. His precision and ability to take wickets in the death overs make him a must-have for any fantasy team.
Matt Renshaw (Australia): With an impressive average of 52 over the last two games, Renshaw is the anchor Australia relies on to stabilize the innings.
Shadab Khan (Pakistan): Offering value with both bat and ball, Shadab is an ideal all-rounder pick for your fantasy squad.

Match Prediction and Tactical Insights

The atmosphere in Lahore is expected to be electric. While Australia has found momentum, Pakistan’s deep bowling attack, headlined by the pace of Shaheen Afridi and the spin prowess of Abrar Ahmed and Arafat Minhas, gives the hosts a slight edge. The key to this match lies in the powerplay; wickets taken in the first ten overs will dictate the flow of the entire game. We predict a tightly contested battle where Pakistan’s familiarity with home conditions allows them to squeeze out a narrow victory to take the series 2-1.

Expected Playing XIs

Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan, Maaz Sadaqat, Babar Azam, Ghazi Ghori (wk), Arafat Minhas, Salman Agha, Abdul Samad, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi (c), Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed.

READ: Ishan Kishan Mocks Chepauk Crowd: SRH Secures Playoff Berth vs CSK

Australia: Alex Carey, Matthew Short, Josh Inglis (c) (wk), Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Matt Renshaw, Oliver Peake, Nathan Ellis, Tanveer Sangha, Matthew Kuhnemann, Adam Zampa.

As the players take to the field in Lahore, the balance between disciplined bowling and calculated aggression will determine the winner. Ensure your fantasy selections reflect the current form of these athletes to maximize your chances of success in this final showdown.

Aditya Rao

Aditya Rao is a senior cricket correspondent for Hindustan Times, known for his unflinching deep dives into the corridors of Indian cricket governance and the forgotten tiers of the domestic game. A graduate of Jamia Millia Islamia and a trained investigative journalist, Aditya brings a policy-level rigour rarely seen on the sports pages. His expertise lies in bridging the gap between the Test match purist and the systemic realities of the modern game—covering everything from Ranji Trophy structural reforms to the economics of player development in India’s hinterlands. He has broken several major stories on administrative overhauls and has profiled dozens of unsung players from India’s age‑group pathways. A recipient of the Ramnath Goenka Award and a trusted voice for accountability in sport, Aditya continues to write with a belief that a robust cricketing culture depends as much on sound governance as it does on a solid cover drive.