Pakistan vs Australia: Test Series Preview

Before Australia embarked on 2014 tour of the UAE to play Test matches against Pakistan they were on a high with ‘number 1’ tag written with their name. But a ruthless hiding from a formidable opposition brought their world crashing down.

This time around the scenario is different which suggests that perhaps the results will be different as well. Yes, after the retirement of two stalwarts – Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan, Pakistan batting looks a bit brittle on the paper. Not to mention Sri Lanka beat them 2-0 in the last Test series played at ‘home’.

Younis played a huge role in 2014 home series against Australia. He scored 468 runs and made three centuries in four innings. Azhar Ali also contributed with 292 in the series. In the bowling department, Zulfiqar Babar with 14 wickets and Yasir Shah with 12 scalps ruled the roost.

SOS sent for Mohammad Hafeez at the eleventh hour shows there are some jitters in the Pakistan camp which is short on experience. The veteran can provide stability to the middle-order and his off-spin will be more than useful in the UAE.

Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq will have to bat for a long period of time so others could build the innings with them. Wahab Riaz is making yet another comeback, but perhaps this could prove his last Test series if he fails to live up to expectations.

New-look Australian team

In 2014, David Warner was the one who fought gallantly against the spin of Zulfiqar Babar and Yasir Shah. He scored 239 runs in the two-match Test series. Steve Smith wasn’t far behind either with a total of 174 runs in the series. Interestingly, both these players are serving bans; therefore, the Australian team will be hoping to see some of their young guns to rise to the occasion.

Let’s have a look at the relatively new Aussie batting line-up. It is nothing short of an unknown commodity; so much so that even name pronunciation of one of their players – Labuschagne has become quite a puzzle lately. The uncapped batsmen – Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head are likely to make their Test debuts in Dubai.

The Aussie opener Matt Renshaw has been ruled out of the series opener after the blow he took on his head in the practice game. He would’ve probably opened the innings and will do so in the second Test depending upon his recovery from the head injury he incurred while fielding at short leg position.

On the basis of excellent knocks played by Marsh brothers in that match, the team management must be hoping for a better display by their batsmen in the forthcoming series. Mitchell scored 162 and Shaun played a patient inning of 94; but one mustn’t forget that Pakistan A didn’t feature any frontline spinner.

Perhaps the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) gave Australia a taste of their own medicine – In 2016, on their tour Down Under, Pakistan team had to play against a bunch of under-19 cricketers in a practice match before the first Test match.

Australia will be depending heavily on the off-spinner Nathan Lyon. Though his performance in the last series played in the UAE was quite dismal to say the least, he bowled the most overs, got 3 wickets for hefty 422 runs. But Lyon has come of age since then and could pose a tough challenge for the Pakistan batting line-up which can crumble against spin.

Even Jon Holland has been impressive while playing in India and if he finds his groove soon, the fans will be in for enthralling contest in the upcoming series.

Captain’s corner

Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed will be under some pressure as far as the captaincy and his performance is concerned. Asia Cup debacle will be going around his mind and the wicketkeeper-batsman even failed in England during the Test series. Batting at number six, his resurgence is important if the top-order crumbles early in the innings.

Tim Paine admitted that his captaincy was on the line not so long ago and in a bid to change the culture of the Australian cricket, he shouldn’t forget to infuse the competitiveness in his players. Moreover, his form with the bat will also be in focus with the more important India series approaching.

In short, both the captains will be under the pump in this series and they will have to put their best foot forward after stepping out on the field.

Pakistan squad: Sarfraz Ahmed (c), Azhar Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail, Usman Salahuddin, Yasir Shah, Shadab Khan, Bilal Asif, Mohammad Abbas, Hasan Ali, Wahab Riaz, Faheem Ashraf, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Hafeez

Australia squad: Tim Paine (c), Ashton Agar, Brendan Doggett, Aaron Finch, Travis Head, Jon Holland, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc

~Written by S.M.Hussain