The atmosphere was electric even though the stadium was only a third full. But one-third at the MCG is still over 30,000. But it felt more like Multan than Melbourne, considering the Pakistani colours that were omnipresent to witness the visitors’ first win on the tour as the series was leveled 1-1 at the MCG.
This piece is being written before the third ODI at Perth - which will be reported on next week - and so one side would be 2-1 up today, going into the fourth ODI at Sydney.
There was palpable difference between the two sides that took to the field in the first and second ODIs at the Gabba and MCG. It was almost as if two different squads were participating in the two games.
Hasan Ali
While Pakistan registered their first win on the tour, they were also helped by a lacklustre Australian side
Two of the three changes at MCG, Asad Shafiq, Shoaib Malik and Junaid Khan in for Azhar Ali, Mohammed Nawaz and Wahab Riaz were instrumental in turning around Pakistan’s fortunes. But none was more important than Mohammed Hafeez - stepping in as the skipper in the absence of Azhar Ali and Sarfraz Ahmed - whose captaincy played a large part in Pakistan’s win, in addition to the 72 runs he scored up top.
There have been few better players for Pakistan than Hafeez over the past decade when it comes to chasing down scores of 220. It is when the target is 320 and beyond that Hafeez and his limitations are exposed. Even his match-winning 72 was initially marred with struggles in dealing with the pacers, bogging him down for quite some time.
But with Hafeez now able to bowl again, he looks set to become an integral part of the limited-overs sides again. And with his captaincy at the MCG, he has put forward his leadership credentials at a time when uncertainty looms over Azhar Ali as the ODI skipper.
Junaid Khan
Shoaib Malik also left his mark on the game after being overlooked at the Gabba. First he bowled well for 1/15 in 4 overs and then scored 42* at over a run a ball. His place in the side was created by Mohammad Nawaz’s continued struggles with the bat. His billing as a spin bowling all-rounder has never quite taken off considering that he hasn’t done anything with the bat since his breakthrough in the opening season of the PSL last year.
Asad Shafiq continues to look uncomfortable in the coloured kit and will have to make way for Azhar Ali when he’s fit again. Junaid Khan, in for Wahab in the second ODI and for Mohammed Irfan in the overall squad, bowled with a lot of intent. He, along with Mohammed Amir, was perfectly utilised by Hafeez, who gave both of them extended spells. If Junaid can work on his fitness – and discipline, considering his fallouts with previous managements - he can be the long-term partner for Amir, who has looked increasingly good in the first two ODIs.
Mohammed Hafeez
Shoaib Malik
Both Sharjeel Khan and Babar Azam seem to be feeling the pressure of expectations after being the mainstays of the Pakistani batting lineup in recent ODIs. Both of them got starts in both the ODIs but failed to go on to score decent scores.
Hasan Ali continues to prove his worth as a quality limited-overs bowler, with variations that can get the better of any top batsman. Imad Wasim is growing into becoming the all-rounder that Pakistan has needed post-Razzaq and Afridi. If he can improve his use of the long handle, he can go a long way in fulfilling that role in the years to come.
While Pakistan have registered their first win on the tour, they were also helped by an out of character, lacklustre Australian side, who would not want to give an inch again in the coming games. The World Champions are at their most dangerous off the back of a defeat.
