By: Shahzaib Shahzad
In a historic series for Pakistan cricket, the national team claimed a momentous ODI series win over Australia on their home soil for the first time since 2002. This stunning performance not only defied expectations but showcased Pakistan’s adaptability and the leadership of Mohammad Rizwan, who captained the team after Babar Azam’s recent captaincy shift. Given their recent record in Australia, where Pakistan had lost 26 of their last 28 matches across formats, this victory marked a turning point for the team, signaling a potential new era.
Pre-Series Predictions and Australia’s Strength
If anyone had predicted that Australia would bat a mere 99.5 overs across the entire three-match ODI series, it would have likely been dismissed as highly improbable. Australia, reigning world champions in the ODI format, fielded a strong side in each of the first two games, playing on home pitches that historically have proven difficult for Pakistan. Given the backdrop, few expected anything other than an Australian whitewash. Yet, Pakistan, lacking recent 50-over cricket experience and fielding a side without several established all-rounders, would ultimately rewrite this script.
The Pakistani squad arrived in Australia with a range of new challenges. A change in leadership and coaching personnel, coupled with limited ODI action over the previous year, left many fans and experts questioning their preparedness. Australia, meanwhile, put forth a near full-strength team, including their strongest bowlers and batters, to add to the expectation of a one-sided contest. Yet, what transpired on the pitch was anything but.
Rizwan’s Leadership and Pakistan’s Strategy
Under the captaincy of Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan approached the series with a strategic mindset that capitalized on their strengths. Where Babar Azam, the former captain, often took a more defensive approach, Rizwan led with a bolder strategy, exposing Pakistan’s lineup to maximize their talents. Knowing they lacked an answer to Australia’s top spinner Adam Zampa, Pakistan chose not to field a spinner themselves, relying instead on four dedicated fast bowlers. This unconventional approach set the stage for an aggressive game plan: bowl out Australia quickly and avoid the long chases that had previously plagued Pakistan in foreign conditions.
The four-pronged pace attack became the foundation of Pakistan’s approach, allowing them to limit Australia to modest totals, manageable by a relatively shallow batting order. This strategy allowed the team to make use of bespoke conditions, including fast, seaming pitches that played to the strengths of their pace unit, giving Pakistan a crucial advantage in what could have been a disadvantageous environment.
Pakistan’s Pace Attack Dominates
Led by Shaheen Shah Afridi, the Pakistani bowling attack capitalized on the fast conditions. Afridi, adjusting his wrist positioning to create movement off the pitch, was instrumental in destabilizing the Australian top order. His economy rate of just 3.76 was the lowest of any bowler in the series, setting the tone for Pakistan’s success. Facing aggressive Australian openers like Matthew Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk, Afridi’s tight bowling allowed Pakistan to control the scoring, consistently capturing key wickets and maintaining pressure.
Naseem Shah further bolstered the attack, perfecting the art of delivering near-wicket balls that kept Australia’s batters at bay, even if not always resulting in dismissals. Though Shah was slightly more expensive, he delivered breakthroughs with the new ball in the final two games, marking a pivotal role in Pakistan’s series win.
Equally vital was Mohammad Hasnain, whose reserved on-field demeanor hid a fierce competitive spirit. Although his wicket tally wasn’t as high as his teammates’, Hasnain dismissed Marcus Stoinis in the final game, a personal victory after a controversial exchange during the Hundred tournament. Haris Rauf, known for his charismatic and extroverted personality, dominated this series, dismissing Australia’s top player, Glenn Maxwell, three times in a series-defining clash that highlighted Rauf’s control over the game.
Signs of a New Era
Beyond the historic series win, signs of optimism emerged for Pakistan. Rizwan’s proactive captaincy style hinted at a shift in approach, moving away from the team’s previously more reserved tactics in the shorter formats. Rizwan’s leadership, combined with the potential seen in young talents like Saim Ayub, created a sense of momentum for Pakistan. Ayub, showing calmness under pressure, became Pakistan’s second-highest scorer in winning chases against Australia in Australia, a promising sign for the team’s future.
Babar Azam, even after stepping down from captaincy, reminded fans of his prowess with a solid 37 in the first game and two unbeaten cameo performances, maintaining his reputation as one of the world’s top ODI batters.
Overcoming Doubts and a New Identity
While some critics might dismiss the series win as an anomaly—attributing Australia’s loss to their focus on the upcoming Border-Gavaskar series or resting players—this series demonstrated Pakistan’s resilience and determination. For a team that has faced years of challenges on Australian soil, this victory serves as more than a mere statistic. Bilateral series gain value through the passion teams bring to them, and Pakistan’s commitment to defeating Australia showcased their hunger to prove themselves.
With historical wins in Australia being few, Pakistan’s success in this series has reinvigorated the team and their fans. The team’s performance, particularly from the fast bowlers, highlighted a potential foundation for future campaigns in foreign conditions. Pakistan’s brand of cricket, first etched in Australian minds during their 1992 World Cup victory, found new life in this series, offering glimpses of a squad that may be laying the groundwork for a more competitive era.
- Celebrating a Milestone
The jubilation that followed Pakistan’s victory over Australia was evident in every corner of the Optus Stadium. As the winning runs were struck, players took celebratory laps, embraced each other, and shared moments with fans who had gathered to witness this historic achievement. Rizwan, in particular, shared a heartfelt embrace with his teammates, including Shaheen and Babar, in what was a powerful symbol of unity and renewed hope for Pakistan cricket.
The team’s celebration in Perth was an emotional tribute to the hard work that had gone into this achievement and a testament to the belief they’ve built in recent times. As Rizwan, Shaheen, and their teammates celebrated, it was a reminder that Pakistan’s cricket journey is not just about the next game, but about defining a legacy that withstands the challenges of time and opposition.
For now, Pakistan’s players, coaches, and supporters are fully embracing the present. The future can wait; today, they’ve achieved something truly remarkable in a place where victories have always been scarce.