This piece is being written before the third ODI, which means that Pakistan would be taking a 2-1 – or a decisive 3-0 – lead into the fourth match today. Whatever the result on Wednesday, Pakistan have already demonstrated that they are a completely different kettle of fish these days when they swap the greens for the whites under Sarfraz Ahmed.
As discussed last week, the ODI side has benefitted from the injection of the Champions Trophy winners, after being whitewashed by Sri Lanka in the Test series. And yet, most of the impetus – at least in the first couple of ODIs – has come from the man who played the Test series in its entirety.
Back to back centuries by Babar Azam are the primary reason why Pakistan turned their fortunes around. He looks like a completely different player from the one who managed only 39 runs in four innings in the Test series, and is not only spearheading the Pakistani batting, but also establishing himself among the very top batsmen in the world right now.
Ahmed Shehzad
The only criticism that one can direct towards Babar Azam, which we have regularly reiterated in this space, is his tendency to consume more deliveries than he should – both at the start of the innings, and especially when he is approaching the hundred. However, two factors help ensure that he shields himself from any sustained critique: first, the fact that he continues to pile on the runs, and second, that not many around him are.
Barring Shoaib Malik and Shadab Khan, no other Pakistani batsman contributed anything meaningful in the first two ODIs.
Fakhar Zaman, who scored a patchy 43 in Dubai, has continued to look uncertain post his Champions Trophy heroics, which could be a result of the prodigiously elevated expectations. Meanwhile, Ahmed Shehzad has scored a 0 and 8 in the two ODIs and mightn’t be able to keep Imam-ul-Haq out of the starting 11, and definitely won’t be able to prevent Azhar Ali’s return after injury, at this rate.
Mohammed Hafeez
Mohammed Hafeez showed a glimpse of his stroke-play in his 32 at Dubai. But he still doesn’t bring the needed surety in the middle order. There might be a case to bring in Haris Sohail, but not necessarily at Hafeez’s expense, considering the latter’s bowling.
Sarfraz has continued to struggle with the bat and Imad Wasim missing out on the opportunity that Shadab later grabbed – of establishing his batting credentials after having to come in early in the second ODI.
Barring Malik there is no reliable hitting power in the Pakistani middle and lower middle order. If Fakhar Zaman goes early and Malik doesn’t fire, it is hard to see this batting lineup posting a 300+ total.
But as has been the case for Pakistan cricket for many a generation, the team continues to bank on the bowlers regardless of the personnel.
Hasan Ali
Rumman Raees has seamlessly stepped into Mohammed Amir’s shoes and seamed the ball around at good pace in his 3-for at Dubai. Junaid Khan might not have been among the wickets, and might indeed have been underused in the first two ODIs, but he remains a reliable opening pacer and can take a bagful of wickets any day.
Pakistan’s pace bowling, however, is spearheaded by Hasan Ali, who is Sarfraz’s go-to guy whenever he needs a wicket. Hasan Ali’s aggression is infectious, and doesn’t only reflect in his own bowling, it is epitomised by the impact he has on the fielding unit and the crowds.
Shoaib Malik
Pakistan continue to be well-equipped in the spin department as well. Shadab Khan is continuing to take wickets, while Hafeez appears to have found his groove back with the ball after struggles with the bowling action. Imad Wasim surprisingly only bowled five overs in the first two ODIs, but his bowling remains his main forte that has seen him climb up the rankings.
Pakistan have six bowlers who can be easily relied upon for their quota of 10 overs each, plus Shoaib Malik. While this has resulted in the likes of Junaid Khan and Iman Wasim not getting enough overs in, it might also present a case of Pakistan perhaps playing an additional batsman – ideally someone who can use the longer handle.
