Australia vs Pakistan 2019: 3 talking points from the series

On the 8th of November, Australia annihilated a hapless Pakistan side as they cruised to a 10-wicket victory at Perth, thereby ensuring a 2-0 series triumph. And, while the manner of the victory certainly took aback the thousands of Pakistan supporters at the ground, to the keenest observers of the sport, the encounter only embodied what had transpired throughout the rubber.

In the first clash, the visitors were saved by the rain gods as they somehow escaped defeat whereas the second match was slightly more competitive before Steve Smith decided to impose himself on the game.

Thus, through the course of the series, Pakistan, the No.1 ranked T20I side hadn’t even laid a glove on their hosts, meaning that their ranking and the ICC’s flawed system also came under the scanner.

Yet, that became the least of the tourists’ concerns as Babar Azam and Misbah-ul-Haq’s first series as captain and coach respectively opened up a gigantic can of worms.

As for Australia, there were several positives, especially considering they’d managed to go through the entire calendar year unbeaten in the shortest format; an achievement even more impressive given that they’ve not always accorded T20Is the importance it has deserved.

Consequently, there were a plethora of sub-plots that emerged during the series and with the set of matches done and dusted, the time is ripe to delve into a deeper analysis and chalk out the three biggest talking points that arose during the series.

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#3 Iftikhar Ahmed represents a silver lining among the dark batting clouds

Iftikhar was a bright spot for Pakistan

Pakistan’s batting hasn’t been their strongest asset over the past few years but they’ve been able to stitch together a defendable total on most occasions, thereby enabling their bowlers to take centre-stage. However, against Australia, they failed to notch up par totals, meaning that they lost matches even before a ball was bowled in the second essay.

At Sydney, they posted a paltry 107 in 15 overs whereas they got themselves to 150 on a placid track at Canberra. Their worst performance though, came at Perth where they unravelled for 106, despite their being no real demons in the strip.

And, though Babar kept doing his bit at the top of the order, the other batsmen were woeful as they fell prey to easily decipherable bowling plans. Fakhar Zaman’s wretched run with the bat continued while Haris Sohail too didn’t cover himself in any glory.

Hence, it was pretty difficult to earmark a positive aspect among their batting blues. Yet, Iftikhar Ahmed represented an aberration as he got stuck into the Aussies and strengthened his credentials with a couple of handy knocks.

At Canberra, Pakistan were in danger of undoing Babar’s work in the opening half of the innings. However, Iftikhar grabbed the ball by the horns and showcased immense confidence and conviction to rattle his way 62 off 34 balls. A few days later, he was tasked with a repair job and he excelled as he scored 45 to ensure the tourist didn’t fold for a total under 100.

Thus, through the course of the games, Iftikhar had underlined his capabilities and his propensity to come up trumps when the chips were down.

And, with Pakistan looking for inspiration in the batting department, his arrival on the international stage couldn’t have come at a more opportune moment.

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#2 Australia’s T20I bowling line-up looks in fine fettle

Starc looked close to his best

Australia opted to field their first-choice pacers for Pakistan’s visit and it worked a charm as the hosts methodically dismantled the tourists’ brittle batting line-up.

Kane Richardson was brilliant while Sean Abbott also gave a good account of himself in the solitary game he played. Pat Cummins too, did his job well without setting the world ablaze. However, most promisingly for the Aussies, Mitchell Starc hit his straps, meaning that he terrorised batsmen with his raw pace and searing yorkers.

The past few months have seen the left-arm pacer fall out of favour in red-ball cricket. Yet, against Pakistan in the T20Is, he portrayed that he has plenty to offer in limited-overs cricket courtesy his style of bowling.

Often in Test matches, Starc is guilty of bowling too full or too short, thereby hinting at a lack of patience at hitting a good length throughout the day. However, in T20Is, that ploy becomes essential as the batsmen are always kept on their toes.

In addition to the pacer, the spinners’ plans also came to fruition as Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar alternated between their attacking and defensive roles.

Thus, with a home cricketing extravaganza on the horizon, Australia seem to possess a bowling attack capable of denting any opposition. And, one reckons that would bode well for the World T20, especially considering bowlers usually form the backbone of success in a multi-nation tournament.

#1 Has Pakistan’s famed fast bowling prowess gone stale?

Is this the end for Wahaz Riaz?

Over the years, Pakistan have perhaps boasted one of the most potent bowling attacks across the globe. Several exciting fast-bowlers have come through the ranks and subsequently, sent ripples through the cricketing circuit, courtesy their brand of pace and swing.

However, in the past eighteen months or so, they haven’t been able to break open games as frequently, meaning that the onus has shifted onto the batsmen. And, that isn’t a particularly pleasing sight, as those acquainted with Pakistan cricket would testify.

Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Irfan and Wahab Riaz were primarily preferred but the three of them were carted all over the park by the Aussies as they made merry on the triumvirate’s predictable line and length.

More worryingly though, when confronted with such belligerence, the fast bowlers seemed devoid of any ideas. And, while going for runs in the odd game isn’t that big an ailment, not knowing how to react certainly is.

Inevitably, one is led to question if the aforementioned pacers are past their expiry date and if Wahab in particular, has anything more to offer to Pakistan cricket, considering his age and one-dimensional modus operandi. As for Amir, he is slightly younger and more skilful and might even find another avenue to prize out wickets.

Yet, for the first time in quite a while, a Pakistan bowling line-up looked clueless and that, above everything else, would be a facet they would want to rectify at the earliest.