Sadiq hails Pakistan’s 3–0 whitewash against what he describes as ‘second-string’ Australia

By Alam Zeb Safi
LAHORE: Former Pakistan Test opener Sadiq Mohammad has lauded Pakistan’s emphatic 3–0 T20I series victory over Australia at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, calling it a triumph built on sound basics, intelligent leadership and disciplined execution with both bat and ball.
Reacting soon after Pakistan completed the clean sweep Sadiq praised captain Salman Ali Agha’s calm control of the side, highlighting his technically correct batting as a central pillar of Pakistan’s dominance throughout the series. According to Sadiq, Salman’s success stemmed from his commitment to “correct cricketing shots,” particularly his effective use of the long handle straight down the ground, targeting mid-off and mid-on rather than resorting to risky cross-batted strokes.
“He applied the basics of the game, which made batting look very easy,” Sadiq observed, stressing that simplicity and shot selection—often overlooked in the modern T20 era—were decisive factors behind Pakistan’s consistency.
Sadiq also credited the team management for bold and intelligent decision-making, especially the repeated choice to bat first. Totals in excess of 175, he noted, placed immediate pressure on Australia’s batting line-up and forced them into errors. In contrast, he was scathing about Australia’s approach, describing their batting across the three matches as “very street and immature,” lacking structure, patience, and a clear understanding of T20 fundamentals.
The former opener pointed out that Australia’s repeated collapses—often being bowled out around the 15th or 16th over—reflected a deeper issue. “It showed they had no idea of the basics of batsmanship,” he said, adding that the Australian coaching staff appeared disinterested in reinforcing those fundamentals during the series.
What surprised Sadiq most was the underwhelming performance of Australia’s senior, established batters. Players such as Mitchell Marsh, Travis Head, and Cameron Green, he felt, produced “mediocre cricket” by their own high standards. Given Australia’s reputation as one of the world’s strongest teams over the last 15 to 20 years, Sadiq believed this defeat would be “very difficult to digest” for the Australian cricket board.
Equally impressive, in Sadiq’s assessment, was Pakistan’s bowling—particularly the way skipper Salman Ali Agha marshalled his spin attack. He praised the spinners for maintaining tight lines and lengths, denying Australian batters the freedom to hit off the back foot. By forcing them to play straight and come forward, Pakistan neutralized Australia’s preferred cross-bat hitting style, a tactical move that consistently tilted the contest in the hosts’ favor.
“All spinners bowled good line and length,” Sadiq noted, emphasizing that this collective discipline was a major difference between the two sides.
Looking ahead, Sadiq Mohammad believes this comprehensive series win could be a turning point for Pakistan’s T20 ambitions. He stressed that such a commanding performance against a traditionally strong opponent should inject significant confidence into the squad as they prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup.