Australia v Pakistan, 3rd ODI: 5 Talking Points

Peter Handscomb had yet another impressive start to his ODI career as he slammed an impressive half-century on debut as Australia went ahead and thumped Pakistan in the third ODI at the WACA in Perth. This inning was also a hallmark of the batting acumen the 25-year old boasts of. However, the star of the show was well and truly Aussie skipper Steve Smith who went ahead and helped himself to an impressive century. This means that apart from the first ODI in the GABBA, Smith has a string of decent scores in the last couple of matches.

As for Pakistan, it was a clear case of underperforming yet again. Of course, there were some impressive performances including the innings from Babar Azam, but the fact was that it was simply not enough when it came to the contributions made by the rest of the side as well. While there was certainly one of the talking points on the day, here are five talking points from the third ODI between Australia and Pakistan.

1. Sharjeel Khan consolidates following loss of Hafeez

While he had been the subject of a lot of praise in second ODI s skipper, Mohammad Hafeez had a torrid time with the bat in the third ODI at the WACA. He simply could not cope with the swing of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazelwood as all it would take would be 13 deliveries and four runs from the bat before he was sent back to the haven of the dressing room. However, despite all of this, there was his opening partner Sharjeel Khan who has been clearly itching to make his mark. The southpaw more than just deputized for his opening partner as he went ahead and slammed an impressive 50 as the Pakistanis prevented a collapse as well.

2. Babar Azam helps himself to an impressive 84

For some time, Babar Azam has been drawing comparisons between him and Virat Kohli. While there were certainly quite a few who believed that this would be a bridge too far for the youngster, it was clear that Babar Azam would be one of those players who could ensure that there was some resemblance of a partnership as well. In spite of beginning a bit slowly to his innings, Azam went ahead and began smashing the ball to different parts as he looked as though he would help himself to another century. However, besides this, Azam seemed as though his innings was going to be one that he would keep his wicket as well. It took a peach of a delivery from Josh Hazelwood to ensure that Azam was dismissed 16 runs short of a well-deserved century.

3. Akmal and Malik go ahead and impress towards the end

In the overall context of the Pakistan squad, it would seem quite clear that Umar Akmal and Shoaib Malik would be the ones who are perhaps the most experienced players in the side. This experience also was clear for one and all to see given the fact that they amassed impressive scores on the day and tried to affect the run rate as well. Moreover, the fact of the matter remained that these players smashed 39 apiece and also ensured that there was a par score at the very least for the visitors.

4. Peter Handscomb has another memorable debut; Smith dazzles as well

While the likes of David Warner and Usman Khawaja lost their wickets after being dismissed following the starts that they gave the Australians. However, what was to follow was to be a completely amazing performance from Peter Handscomb. Making his debut on the day, Handscomb ensured that he would make his opportunity count as he went ahead and smashed the Pakistan bowlers to all parts. This also comes as one of the most impressive innings given the fact that the Australian batting simply did not kick off the previous two ODIs. Moreover, Handscomb was playing against some quality bowlers in the form of Junaid Khan and Mohammad Amir as well. Handscomb was denuded a century when he was snapped up by Hasan Ali for an impressive 82.

5. Smith completes ton as Aussies complete impressive win

The previous ODI, one that Australia lost had only one positive aspect as far as the Aussies were concerned. This was a simple fact that Steve Smith had slammed a half-century. However, this time around, Smith took it up a notch and ensured that he would be there till the very end as he went ahead and whacked an incredibly impressive century. Smith’s compilation ensured that he smashed 11 boundaies and a solitary six.