Doherty in line for Dubai recall

Australia look set to play two frontline spinners for Friday night's second one-day international against Pakistan, when the series returns to Dubai and the same turning pitch used for last Monday's Twenty20 international.

Xavier Doherty is a strong contender to come into the XI that won Wednesday's first ODI by 93 runs in Sharjah. The Tasmanian was called up for the VB Tour of the UAE as a second spinning option after Mitch Marsh's hamstring injury ruled him out of the three-match series.

Doherty has been clocking up the air miles – he had recently landed in Brisbane after returning from the Champions League Twenty20 tournament in India when he was back on a plane heading west to Dubai.

Quick Single: Doherty shapes as ODI x-factor

Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin said he had been "a little bit shocked" by how much turn the Dubai International Stadium wicket offered in the six-wicket T20 international win, and was expecting Doherty to be high in the selectors' thoughts.

"You'd have to have a very close look at him, especially with the way the wicket played in the Twenty20 game," said Haddin.

"He's had a pretty successful time of it in India with the Hurricanes so he's in some good nick.

"You know what you're going to get with X and the way he bowls … stump to stump and into the wicket, I think he'll get a bit of purchase."

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq said his team was down on confidence with Wednesday's heavy defeat to Australia following the T20 series loss as well as Test and ODI series losses against Sri Lanka in August, and Haddin said the Australians would be looking to keep them down.

"It's our job if they're feeling that way to make sure we continue on with what we're doing," said Haddin.

"It's important to build momentum going into series and we're one-nil up now with two to play.

"We've got to make sure we bring our A-game in the next two games because we know how dangerous Pakistan are. No matter whether they're exploding on themselves, they're two good innings away (from a series win)."

And with Misbah in the midst of a form slump, the Australians will seek to keep the pressure on.

"We make no secret that we do go at the opposition captain, that's where all the decisions are made," said Haddin.

"If we can keep the opposition captain under pressure and make his job as difficult as possible, it goes a long way to winning the game."

The wicketkeeper revealed the Australians thought they were "30 to 40 runs short" after posting 8-255 in Sharjah on Wednesday, anchored by Steve Smith's maiden ODI century.

If Doherty did come into the side, it could well be at the expense of either all-rounder James Faulkner, who was hit for 20 runs in two overs and scored 11 with the bat, or Sean Abbott, who made just three swinging hard late but picked up 1-25 in five overs on debut.

Dropping Faulkner could leave the Australians light on batting, and Haddin said he was prepared to step up the order if required.

"I'm in a situation where, from a team point of view, I can bat from one to seven," said Haddin.

"I know if something happens and I have to get moved up, whether it be opening or not, I'm pretty comfortable with that.

"I know that's my role in this team where I can go up and down the order without too much drama."

Australia squad: Aaron Finch, David Warner, Steven Smith, George Bailey (c), Glenn Maxwell, James Faulkner, Brad Haddin (wk), Sean Abbott, Mitchell Johnson, Kane Richardson, Nathan Lyon, Phillip Hughes, Mitchell Starc, Xavier Doherty.