By Alam Zeb Safi
LAHORE: Pakistan did well on turning pitches to beat world champions Australia 2-1 in a three-match ODI series and thus launched its 2027 World Cup preparation journey in an impressive way.
Although Australia had fielded their second string as their top six players were missing; but its’ not the fault of Pakistan and the hosts did well to pull off a morale-booster series win against a professional side.
After beating Aussies by five wickets in Pindi the visitors bounced back strongly to defeat Pakistan by 41 runs at Lahore to level the series. In the third and decisive show the things at one stage were evenly poised as Pakistan were struggling at 112-6 while chasing 158. But Shadab Khan and Abdul Samad batted extremely well and knitted 49 runs for the seventh wicket association to notch a convincing win in the end to seal the series. This was the third successive series win from Pakistan against Australia since 2021-2022.
Pakistan had some positives in this series. Shadab Khan, who was under severe criticism, did well with the bat by scoring 71 not out in the lost cause in the second ODI before making 29 not out in the last show which helped Pakistan seal the series in an emphatic way.
Shadab was seen struggling with the ball but eventually took a couple of wickets in the final game which must have boosted his confidence. He is a senior player and what he needs is to make a strong comeback in his bowling and it is the only way to cement his place in the ODI squad for the World Cup 2027 which will be held in Africa.
There is no doubt about his batting ability but bowling should be his premier domain in which he will need to impress.
Sahibzada Farhan, who had been in sublime touch in the PSL and before that in the World Cup, but failed to showcase his skills in ODIs against Australia where conditions were challenging and the ball was not only turning but it also was seen keeping low on certain occasions. It was not easy for the batsmen to charge. And there Farhan struggled. He is a good player but he will need to learn how to bat on low and turning tracks.
Ghazi Ghori, who had replaced Mohammad Rizwan for the series with Rohail Nazir as his back-up, although, played a couple of good innings but his prime duty which was acting behind the stumps, was not impressive. It is a question mark for the authorities. They will have to take a judicious decision whether to go with this boy or bring in Rizwan for onward series in order to prepare a solid lot for the World Cup.
Young Maaz Sadaqat, who opened the innings, needs to learn how to bat in the ODIs. It’s premature to hand him ODI cap. He needs to be groomed further and it’s not a perfect time to use him in the ODI squad. Pakistan has the experienced batsmen in Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood, Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub who could be better used in the top order. Fakhar and Saim were left out of the series due to injuries.
Babar Azam did his best and his contributions in the first and last game were vital for his team’s success. He used his upper chamber well and batted with an enormous patience to make solid contributions.
Salman Ali Agha also failed to live up to the expectations in the series but he is a good player and needs more opportunities so that he could regain his form.
Abdul Samad, although played a good knock in the last ODI, but he needs to improve further, needs to learn how to improvise and bat in difficult conditions.
Shaheen Afridi led from the front and it’s a good thing for the skipper who got his rhythm back.
He took wickets at crucial stages in the last ODI and that tilted the pendulum in Pakistan’s favour as Australia were skittled out for just 157, their lowest total on Pakistan’s soil. Spinner Abrar Ahmed has been too good and he not only kept the batsmen quiet but also did well by taking wickets when Pakistan direly needed.
It was a tough series for the batsmen and so bowlers were not that much tested. Pakistan will need to seek for a few other fast bowling options if they are to constitute a fighting lot for the World Cup.
