Pakistan vs Australia ODI series: 5 Talking Points

After their historic win against India, Australia are on a high and setting off for a new challenge – taking on Pakistan in the UAE. The ‘hosts’ for this series may not pose as big a challenge to the Kangaroos as India, but it would still be a good opportunity for the visitors to continue improving themselves en route to the World Cup.

Pakistan, on the other hand, remain as unpredictable as they have always been. While their performance in the South Africa ODI series wasn’t bad, it is nearly impossible to foresee what kind of result they would produce in this series.

With key players rested for these 5 matches, it is even more perilous to make predictions. But there are great opportunities for certain members of the squad to make a strong case for World Cup selection.

It wouldn’t be wrong to describe Australia as the favorites in this contest. Their win in India must have boosted their confidence immensely. Initially, this series was expected to witness the comebacks of Steve Smith and David Warner but the selectors have decided to not rush them.

Still, there are plenty of important questions that will be answered in this series. As it is the last chance for both teams to test themselves in an international ODI rubber before heading out to the UK, all matches would be keenly watched.

Let’s look at the biggest topics that will come up during the course of the series.

#1. Aaron Finch’s form

Aaron Finch would be under pressure to get a big score in the series

The victory in India was achieved, in large part, by the Australians due to the splendid batting of some of their players. But one person who is still facing pressure and whose place would be under serious doubt if he doesn’t perform is, ironically, the captain Aaron Finch.

People like Ian Chappell had demanded his dropping from the ODI side earlier. While he was able to get one good score under his belt in India, still questions remain about his technique and consistency.

With Khawaja and Handscomb having cemented their place and the return of Smith and Warner very likely, Finch’s spot in the team could be threatened. It is not clear who Australia intend to hand over the captaincy to if the incumbent is dropped but arrangements will be made.

The weakness of Finch against in-swinging deliveries would be probed relentlessly by Pakistani seamers, especially Mohammed Abbas. Therefore, for him, this is a do-or-die battle. If he fails against Pakistan, his World Cup campaign may be over even before the event starts.

#2. Will Pakistan’s test stars shine in ODIs too?

Yasir Shah has been given an opportunity to prove himself in the shorter format

With some of their key players given a break, Pakistan have decided to try out two of their biggest Test performers against Australia. Yasir Shah and Mohammed Abbas have been extremely prolific wicket-takers in Test cricket. Now, they are being offered a chance to make a case for themselves in ODIs also.

Yasir Shah has played some one-dayers previously but was unable to make a mark. His much-younger colleague Shadab Khan has been leading the spin-charge in the shorter format. But the senior pro possesses undeniable quality and has been backed by Shane Warne to emerge as a leading leg-spinner in the World Cup.

Inzamam-ul-Haq has already announced that Pakistan intend to have two leg-spinners in their World Cup team. Yasir has a golden opportunity to book his place by delivering good returns.

Abbas, on the other hand, is the sort of bowler who can be extremely effective in English conditions. But there is a subtle difference between bowling in Tests and ODIs. Abbas, who has been metronomic in his accuracy while bowling in the longest format, has these five matches to convince selectors of his worth in shorter format.

If both these players shine against Australia, Pakistan’s strength would increase substantially for the World Cup.

#3. Key series for many Australians

Both Shaun Marsh and Glenn Maxwell are in need of big runs to cement their place in the line-up

There are various players in the Australian squad who too, are fighting for a spot in the final World Cup squad. Glenn Maxwell, Shaun Marsh, and Nathan Lyon are the three most prominent ones. Among pace bowlers also, there is fierce competition.

The likes of Jhye Richardson, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Kane Richardson and Jason Behrendorff have to convince the selectors that they are deserving of a place in the team. The group would be led by the one bowler who is certain to make it into the playing XI in England - Pat Cummins.

Mitchell Starc misses this tour due to injury but is certain to be in the team for the World Cup. Josh Hazlewood and Billy Stanlake may also come into contention for the tournament in England. Hence, none of the seamers who will feature in this series take their place for granted.

Going back to Maxwell and Marsh, the former is a highly-regarded player in shorter formats and provides useful off-spin too. But he underperformed in the India series and therefore, has a point to prove. Since Ashton Turner has shown tremendous potential as an aggressive batsman down the order, Maxwell can’t afford to be complacent about his position.

Marsh has been in the Australian set-up for a very long time and hasn’t done badly in ODIs. But with competition for places becoming more intense in the Australian top-7, he is finding it difficult to keep his place intact.

Both these batsmen have to make a big statement in this series. Maxwell needs to show more sense and Marsh greater consistency.

Lastly, Lyon is keen to play in the World Cup and did well enough in India for remaining in contention. He would enjoy bowling in the UAE and could emerge as a stable, reliable tweaker to pair with the more volatile Zampa in England.

So, these five matches will see the clear outline of the Australian World Cup team becoming visible.

#4. Another chance for Umar Akmal

Umar Akmal gets another opportunity to prove himself

Few players in contemporary cricket have been as irritating as Umar Akmal. Supremely talented, this batsman has consistently disappointed Pakistani fans with meager returns and a tendency to throw his wicket away.

On top of that, his attitude has also been questionable. The beneficiary of endless opportunities provided by the selectors, he gets one more go in the Pakistani team. The reason for his return may not just be the belief of selectors in his ability but also their desire to have a reserve wicketkeeper-batsman in the squad.

With questions being raised about Sarfraz Ahmed’s form, Pakistan would want to have a back-up option. If Akmal can gain some form, he would be kept in the team to be that reserve player.

However, a player of his caliber shouldn’t be relying on part-time wicketkeeping to keep his place in the side. It is tempting to say that this is his last opportunity to achieve what his talent promises in international cricket. But, due to the vagaries of Pakistan’s cricket management, one can never be sure of the future.

#5. Opportunity for Malik to become full-time captain

Shoaib Malik could take over as full-time captain if Pakistan do well in this series

The four-match ban imposed on Sarfraz Ahmed put the responsibility of leading the Pakistan team on Shoaib Malik. Being a more consistent batsman than his full-time skipper, Malik was on surer footing while captaining.

The performance of his team against South Africa, where they lost the series but put up a very solid fight, has led to speculation that he may be given the responsibility on a full-time basis.

Whether Sarfraz has been kept out of the team to give him a rest or whether the intention of the selectors is to try out Malik’s leadership qualities can only be speculated. But it can be said with some certainty that if Pakistan win this series, it would be very hard to take the captaincy away from the veteran Pakistani batsman and hand it back to Sarfraz.

In essence, this series is a trial of Malik’s leadership qualities. If he is successful, it is almost certain that he will lead the men-in-green on to the field in England. This would engender another consequence, that of Sarfraz’s place in the side getting even more vulnerable. Interesting times lie ahead for Pakistan.