After succumbing to a rare failure against Pakistan in the recently concluded ODI series,  Australia fought back brilliantly to achieve an unassailable 3-0 clean sweep in the T20I series. With the series decided firmly in favor of the hosts, Australia did not leave any stone unturned coming into the third T20I at Hobart where a spirited effort bowling effort from the Australian quicks left the visitors gasping for breath.

Despite some gutsy contributions from Babar and Haseebullah, Rizwan’s decision to bat first flopped big-time as Pakistan were bundled out cheaply for 117 inside 18.1 overs.

Pakistan’s vulnerable batting lineup exposed at the Bellerive Oval

The young pace attack of Australia accounted for the bulk of the damage. Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Spencer Johnson, and Aaron Hardie ran riot in Hobart sharing seven wickets. Whereas only two wickets fell to spin, Zampa claiming all two of them. 

After losing Sahibzada Farhan early in the innings, Babar and Haseebullah laid a solid foundation for Pakistan and pushed the score to 61-1 by the end of the seventh over. But once the partnership was ended by Zampa, the Pakistan batting lineup capitulated almost instantly. 

It took no time for Hardie to run through the middle order while Ellis, Bartlett, and Johnson saved their best for the end to curtail the Pakistan innings well inside the allotted 20 overs. Following the fall of the second wicket, Pakistan lost their way completely as the visitors could only add another 56 runs at the expense of eight wickets.

Aaron Hardie registers third-best T20I bowling figures against PAK

Hardie’s impressive outing with the ball was instrumental in triggering such a collapse for Pakistan. The young aspiring all-rounder claimed three prize wickets of Usman, Agha, and Abbas while going for only 21 runs in his allotted four overs. Although his spell saw a couple of wides and a no-ball, Hardie only managed to concede two fours in his entire quota. 

His figures of 3-21 are now the third-best figures registered by any Australian bowler against Pakistan in T20I cricket. The youngster is now only behind Starc and Zampa who currently hold the best figures of 3-11 and 2-11 respectively.  

It was all too easy for Australia in the second innings as Stoinis' belligerent cameo of an unbeaten 61 (27) powered Australia to a crushing 7-wicket win in the third T20I helping them chase down the target inside 12 overs. 

See also: Did the Brisbane T20I involve any mistake or cheating?

Pakistani speedster Haris Rauf has been firing on all cylinders in the ongoing white-ball series against the mighty Australians. His fiery thunderbolts and excellent precession with the ball have left the Australian batters huffing and puffing for breath. He finished the ODI series as the top-wicket taker bagging 10 wickets at a stunning average of 12. Moreover, his ability to generate swing through the air at an express pace made him a far more lethal prospect as opposed to his counterparts Shaheen, Naseen, and Hasnain.

Rauf has carried his lethal form into the ongoing T20I series where he still continues to wreak unbelievable havoc on the Australian batters. Although being enormously expensive in the first T20I, Rauf managed to make a comeback and star with the ball in the second T20I. His figures of 4-22 helped Pakistan curtail the initial onslaught from the Aussie openers as the home side came crashing down from 48-0 after 3 overs to 147-9 after 20 overs, all thanks to Rauf's sheer brilliance with the ball.

But despite a spirited bowling from Rauf and the rest of the bowling department, Pakistan failed to deliver with the bat and fell short by 14 runs in the last over. 

Here is how Rauf owned the Australian batters at the SCG

Pakistan's pace bowling combination Shaheen and Naseem got off to the worst possible start and received some terrible pounding at the hands of Matthew Short and Fraser-McGurk. Rauf was introduced into the attack when the scoreboard read 48-0 and with 17 overs to go, Australia looked all set for a colossal first-innings score in excess of 200 at the minimum. 

But as fate would have it, Australia only managed to add a mere 99 runs to their total after the initial burst from their openers thanks to some gutsy fightback from Rauf, Abbas, and Muqeem. The trio not only managed to keep the run flow down but also managed to strike deadly blows to dent Australia at every phase of the innings. 

Haris Rauf in particular was the pick of the bunch as he went on to register his career-best T20I figures of 4-22 against Australia. He immediately left an impact in his very first over by dismissing Fraser-McGurk and the skipper Inglis in quick succession inside his first over to get Pakistan into the game. And subsequently, the paceman also struck in the dying phases of Australia's innings removing David and Bartlett when they were trying to push the scoring rate. With added support from Abbas and Muqeem, the bowlers were able to pull things back and restrict Australia to a score that was certainly gettable on a track like SCG. 

It really is Haris Rauf's series 🤣 #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/I4YkA7i7Eq

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 16, 2024

What was more impressive about Rauf today was the agility he displayed on the field. Despite, bowling his heart out, Rauf was happy to throw himself around the field to make vital stops, such as the one in the above video where he made a desperate diving attempt to prevent a certain boundary for his side. 

Pakistan's poor show with the bat cost them the series

Despite a stellar show with the ball, Pakistani batters were not equal to the task tonight. The Pakistani top order failed to put up any resistance of sorts as Babar and Farhan were removed for single-digit scores while the skipper Rizwan consumed far too many deliveries to score just 16 runs at a strike rate of only 61.53. Although Usman Khan stitched a valiant stand of 58 runs with Irfan to revive the run chase. However,  his departure brought a swift downfall for the visitors as wickets kept tumbling at an alarming rate thus preventing Pakistan failed to prevail in what appeared to be a modest run chase. 

Following the defeat in Sydney, Rizwan and his men have lost the T20I series as Pakistan still searches for their elusive maiden T20I win in Australia. With the final T20I scheduled to be played in Hobart on Monday, Pakistan would hope for a much-improved performance across all departments and aim for a consolation win to conclude their memorable white-ball tour on a high.  

See also: BCCI objects to PCB’s POK plan; ICC puts Champions Trophy tour on hold

Australia's young batting brigade has come under immense fire as the home side suffered an unimaginable series defeat against the Men in Green for the first time in the ODI format since 2002. Some fiery exhibition of fast bowling from Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah reduced the all-might Aussie batting lineup to rubbles as Australia were bowled out for less than 180 in the remaining two ODIs. The obvious reason for their swift downfall can be pointed out to their paltry batting which led to their undoing in the series.

The Australia batting department experienced some new lows in that series. This 1-2 series defeat also marks the first instance where none of the Aussie batters failed to register a fifty or fifty-plus score. 

Hussey dissects the underlying reason behind Australia's catastrophic batting failure

Former Australia cricketer and sports commentator Michael Hussey commented on air about the players' inclination towards playing an aggressive brand of T20 cricket. He highlighted that the heavy-risk brand of cricket has infiltrated the Aussie batting lineup. Due to the high proliferation of franchise cricket, their batters have now become more susceptible to getting out in a rash manner. 

“Playing a lot of T20 cricket and seeing what’s happening around the world, batters these days are going really hard – playing high-risk games. When it comes off, it looks great and it’s exciting for everyone to watch. But when it doesn’t in the face of high-quality bowling, you can get exposed.”

It has been a go-to strategy, especially for the likes of Josh Inglis and Jake Fraser-McGurk to go all out from ball number one in the recently concluded three-match series. This strategy can do wonders on some days while on other days, it can backfire. The 49-year-old urges the youngsters to adopt a slightly different approach to 50-over cricket and shift their focus on converting small starts into big scores. 

“You’ve got a bit of time, you can build that innings … turn that 20-30 into a 50-60 and then hopefully an 80-100, but that’s part of the development. 50 overs is sort of that in-between game … you do have a bit more time.” 

Michael Vaughan shell-shocked after witnessing Australia's horror show with the bat

Former England captain Michael Vaughan shared the same concerns as his counterpart Hussey and admitted that he had never ever seen the Aussie batting lineup crumble against such a high-quality seam attack. Vaughan felt that the potent Pakistan pace attack troubled the batters with swing and pace, although not being express pace, to lose all 20 wickets under 200 in both games was simply unthinkable by his standards. 

“Let’s be honest, for three games I don’t remember seeing an Australian batting lineup look so exposed.” Three games on the trot against a bit of pace, a bit of movement – it’s not express, it’s not rapid. But they’ve been completely exposed.”

Following the conclusion of a highly entertaining ODI series, the focus now moves to the T20I series that will commence on November 14 at the Gabba. Some big names from the Australian camp will be missing as the likes of Cummins, Starc, and Hazlewood are all but away to prepare for the upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy that will start on November 22. 

See also: Australian squad announced for Perth Test with two potential Test debutants

In an unexpected turn of events during the third and final ODI between Pakistan and Australia, Pakistan captain Babar Azam turned into an on-field 'doctor' for pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi. The incident, which showcased Azam's quick thinking and concern for his teammate, took place at Perth on Sunday, November 10. Pakistan, on the verge of a historic ODI series win in Australia after 22 years, displayed more than just competitive spirit as Azam stepped in to care for his injured teammate.

Shaheen Afridi suffers painful thumb Injury mid-match

The injury occurred during the 26th over when Australian batter Sean Abbott completed a run. As a throw from the outfield came back, it bounced awkwardly and struck Shaheen Afridi directly on his left thumb. The star pacer immediately crouched down in pain, clutching his injured thumb while waiting for the medical staff. But before the physios could reach him, captain Babar Azam rushed over and began massaging Shaheen’s thumb in an attempt to relieve the discomfort.

This moment of camaraderie didn’t go unnoticed by the commentators and fans, who praised Azam for his immediate response. His gesture highlighted the strong bond within the Pakistan team and his commitment to his players both on and off the field.

Dr Babar is on the case! 👨‍⚕️#AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/FupHfqon3p

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 10, 2024

Pakistan dominates Australia with strong Bowling performance

Pakistan’s performance with the ball was just as strong, restricting Australia to a modest total of 141. After winning the toss and electing to bowl, Pakistan's bowlers put the Australian batting lineup under pressure. Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah led the attack, each picking up three wickets, while Haris Rauf and Mohammad Hasnain contributed with crucial breakthroughs. Australian batsmen struggled, with Sean Abbott’s 30 runs being the highest score. Injuries and form issues, like Cooper Connolly's mid-game injury and Jake Fraser-McGurk’s struggles, further hampered Australia's efforts.

See Also: Australian squad announced for Perth Test with two potential Test debutants

Pakistan, now in a favorable position to secure the series win, is on the brink of making history by ending a 22-year drought for an ODI series win in Australia. As they chase a target of 141, the team has a clear pathway to clinch the series, showcasing both skill and unity.

Babar Azam’s compassionate gesture towards Shaheen Afridi added a personal touch to a high-stakes match. Pakistan’s strong showing with the ball and their united team spirit put them in an excellent position to claim a memorable series victory in Australia. This performance not only highlights their athletic ability but also the resilience and camaraderie within the squad—a true testament to Pakistan cricket’s ongoing evolution.

After narrowly missing out in the first ODI in Melbourne, the Men in Green roared back in form in the second ODI to hammer Australia left, right, and center at the Adelaide Oval. Haris Rauf was the demolition man for Pakistan as his fiery spell of fast bowling decimated the 2023 ODI World Cup champions for a paltry 163. The speedster bagged his best bowling figures of 5-29 against Australia and accounted for the dismissals of  Inglis, Labuschagne, Hardie, Maxwell, and Cummins.

After bamboozling Australia for such a below-par total, the chase was all too easy for the Rizwan-led Pakistan side as Ayub and Shafique smashed a century-plus opening stand for the first wicket to help Pakistan set the tone for a massive victory. In the end, Pakistan got to their required target of 164 with nine wickets and 23 overs to spare. This win was also their first win on Australian shores since 2017 and their first ever at the Adelaide Oval since 1996.

See also: Josh Inglis named as the temporary captain for the white-ball series against Pakistan

So what did Pakistan manage to achieve? 

Following their emphatic nine-wicket win in Adelaide, Pakistan have stumbled upon a prod record. The Green Shirts have left behind the likes of India and Sri Lanka to become the only Asian team with the most number of wins in ODIs against Australia in their own backyard. They have now registered 18 wins in 54 matches against the Kangaroos in their own turf. This was also their 35th ODI against Australia in this format.   

India and Sri Lanka on the other hand have only managed to secure 14 and 16 wins respectively whereas Afghanistan and Bangladesh are yet to feature in an ODI match against Australia down under. 

What does the win mean for the team?

Following their emmphatic nine-wicket win, it goes without saying that the Pakistan team was extremly elated after delivering such a ground-breaking performance against a tough Australian team. Pakistan, under the new leadership of Mohammed Rizwan found a way to play with an attacking approach which took the hosts by storm. 

Rizwan lauded the bowlers for delivering such an impressive win and expressed that such a big win gives his side the confidence to do a lot better in the coming days. 

"Obviously this win gives us confidence. We want to keep that confidence going. All bowlers had plans and they worked well."

With the series now level at 1-1, the stage is set for an intense showdown at Perth where the two sides will lock horns yet again in what appears to be an enthralling decider. 

The extraordinary might of the Australian team was crushed at the Adelaide Oval as Pakistani speedster Haris Rauf ran through the batting lineup like a hot knife through the butter. On a steamy pace-friendly wicket, Rauf extracted prodigious bounce and seam movement to trouble the Aussie batters early on. He received ample support from his pace counterpart Shaheen, who accounted for three dismissals while Naseem and Hasnain finished with one wicket apiece.

Four out of five of his dismissals featured soft dismissals that came in the form of caught behind whereas one solitary dismissal came in the form of bold dismissal. Inglis, Labuschagne, Hardie, Maxwell, and Cummins succumbed to his hostile pace bowling. His figures of 5-29 are his best-recorded ODI figures on Australian soil and on the back of such a ground-breaking performance, the Men in Green can now dream of a potential victory in this series. 

A look into Haris Rauf's obliterating bowling spell   

Out-class Spell by Haris Rauf Today #PAKvsAUS pic.twitter.com/9zKl7mAYAb

— Ahsan Shah 💙 (@parh_ly_ahsan) November 8, 2024

Inglis was the first victim to fall to Rauf's hostile bowling. He was dismissed during the 14th over when he attempted to pull a shortish delivery angling down the leg side. Haris was rewarded for this ordinary delivery as Inglis only managed to get some glove on the way making it all too easy for Rizwan to complete a simple catch behind the stumps. 

Labuschagne was the next batter to depart and he was dismissed at a very crucial time when Australia needed a partnership to stay afloat. Rauf bowled an absolute peach in the form of a seam-up delivery and Labuschagne poked at it tentatively to find the outside edge through to Rizwan behind the stumps. 

Hardie was the next victim to fall and he too succumbed in a very similar fashion as his predecessor Labuschagne during the 26th over of the match. A regulation seam-up delivery on a length deviated very late to take the outside edge of Hardie's bat which ultimately resulted in his demise on 14.

Then a big wicket of Maxwell which completely derailed Australia during the 28th over. Maxwell made a very poor choice to counter-attack Rauf for which he paid a hefty price.  Maxwell's eyes lit up after seeing a short and wide delivery outside off. He tried to take a swipe at it only to drag the ball back onto his stumps.

And then finally, Rauf delivered a final nail in the coffin by removing the skipper Cummins who could have threatened Pakistan in the dying phase of the innings. His dismissal broke the back of the Australian innings as the home side failed to put up a big score on the board.

Where does the match currently stand? 

Shaheen Afridi picked up the final wicket of the innings to clean up Australia for 163. Haris's inspirational bowling spell has given the visitors a fighting chance of getting back into the series. The Men in Green narrowly missed out in the first ODI at Melbourne but with such a relatively small target to chase, Pakistan find themselves on the cusp of a maiden ODI victory in Australia since 2017. 

See also: Low scoring Oman vs UAE ODI enters the record books

Josh Inglis will assume the captaincy role following the conclusion of the second ODI at Adelaide and will lead the Men in Yellow in the third ODI as well as the forthcoming T20I series against Pakistan which is expected to commence on November 14. He will lead the side in the absence of premium stalwarts such as Mitch Marsh and Travis Head who are both unavailable due to paternity leave and Test preparation. 

In addition, Australia's Test and ODI skipper Pat Cummins and vice-captain Steve Smith will also not be available to feature for the remainder of the series in order to prepare for the grueling Border Gavaskar Test series. 

Inglis to lead a whole new-look Australia squad 

Following his captaincy appointment, Inglis becomes the 14th T20I captain and the 30th ODI captain to lead Australia. He will have his work cut out as his side will be without the services of experienced Cummins, Smith, Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Marnus Labuschagne, all of whom will be away to prepare for the much-awaited Border Gavaskar Test series. 

The squad will feature some fresh faces in the form of Xavier Bartlett, Spencer Johnson, and Josh Philippe who have made limited yet impactful international appearances for Australia in recent times. Moreover, Lance Morris has also been included as a cover for Josh Hazlewood and is likely to feature in the last ODI of the three-match series. 

Dissecting Inglis' captaincy background

Unlike his teammates Matt Short, Glenn Maxwell, Adam Zampa, and Nathan Ellis, Inglis does not have any credible captaincy experience under his belt. The 29-year-old does not have any captaincy experience at the BBL level unlike some of his fellow teammates. But the flamboyant wicket-keeper batter is widely renowned for his leadership qualities and his tactical instinct at the domestic level.  

Inglis served as the vice-captain for the Perth Scorchers during the previous season and played a significant role within their leadership team. He was a leading candidate to assume the captaincy following Ashton Turner's season-ending injury. However, Aaron Hardie was ultimately selected for the position. This decision was primarily influenced by a preference to avoid appointing a wicketkeeper as captain, particularly given the time constraints faced by the younger bowlers.

In the ongoing three-match ODI series, Australia have taken an early 1-0 lead following a nervy win at the MCG. The hosts will once again lock horns with the visitors in the second ODI at Adelaide where they will look to wrap up the series in one of the most clinical ways possible. 

See also: ICC WTC 2023-25: A saga of strange wins and shocking defeats

Pakistan’s seamer, Hasan Ali, stands out as one of the most lighthearted and entertaining characters within the team, consistently injecting a playful spirit into his on-field presence. This characteristic was vividly showcased during the third day of the Boxing Day Test against Australia. As Hasan Ali patrolled the boundary during the 53rd over bowled by Aamer Jamal, he spontaneously broke into dance moves, prompting the crowd to groove along with him, creating a lively and memorable moment.

The incident unfolded amid a backdrop of competitive cricket during the crucial Boxing Day Test. Ali’s impromptu dance moves, however, added a touch of exuberance to the game. The 53rd over, delivered by Aamer Jamal, became a stage for Ali’s spontaneous performance, drawing in the spectators who enthusiastically joined the impromptu dance session. The video of this joyous episode, shared by Cricket Australia on X, swiftly gained widespread attention, turning into a viral sensation.

See Also:PCB Rejects NOCs for Haris Rauf, Usama Mir, and Zaman Khan to Participate in Additional Matches –Reports

Notably, even Australian batsman Steve Smith couldn’t resist the infectious energy, and he was caught on camera with a grin, acknowledging and appreciating Hasan Ali’s entertaining antics. This instance not only added a light-hearted element to the competitive match but also exemplified the camaraderie and shared enjoyment between players and fans on the cricket field.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) made a crucial decision on Saturday, announcing Mohammad Nawaz as the replacement for left-arm spinner Noman Ali in the Test squad against Australia. The decision came after Noman Ali was ruled out of the ongoing Test series due to acute appendicitis, leading to his surgery on the same day. The national selection committee, headed by Wahab Riaz, approved Nawaz as the replacement, addressing the left-arm spinner void created by Noman’s unfortunate health condition.

Initially included in the squad to provide spin support to Abrar Ahmed, Noman Ali’s absence complicates Pakistan’s bowling situation, especially with Abrar already sidelined due to an injury. Sajid Khan was brought in as a replacement, but his late arrival in Perth prevented him from participating in the opening Test. PCB Chief Selector Wahab Riaz expressed regret over Noman Ali’s unavailability and highlighted the logistical challenges, including visa issues for new players. Considering the need for a left-arm spinner, Mohammad Nawaz emerged as the most suitable choice within the available constraints.

See Also:Kieron Pollard Appointed as Consultant Coach for England in the T20 World Cup 2024

In an official statement, Wahab Riaz explained the unfortunate circumstances and expressed hope regarding Abrar Ahmed’s potential return for the third Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground starting on January 3, 2024. The team management remains optimistic about Abrar’s availability, providing a potential boost to the team’s spin bowling options. Meanwhile, the second Test against Australia is set to begin at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 26.

Adding to Pakistan’s challenges, fast bowlers Khurram Shazad, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf are unavailable. Khurram Shazad reported pain in his left side earlier in the week, Naseem Shah is recovering from an injury, and Haris Rauf opted not to participate. This situation has led to the inclusion of debutants Aamer Jamal and Shahzad, along with Mir Hamza, Hasan Ali, and Mohammad Wasim Jr., forming the current fast bowling lineup for Pakistan against Australia.

Criticism has been directed at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for their alleged failure to manage player workloads, particularly in the case of premier fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi. There are indications that Afridi might be rested for the third and final Test against Australia in Sydney, pending the outcome of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. This decision follows the substantial rib cage injury suffered by Khurrum Shahzad after his notable debut against Australia.

Following Pakistan’s loss in the first Test in Perth, where Khurram Shahzad was injured, there are concerns about the workload of pace bowlers, particularly T20 captain Shaheen Afridi. The PCB is keen on monitoring and managing their bowlers’ workload, considering the upcoming T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the United States, less than six months away, with the series against New Zealand playing a pivotal role in their preparations.

Amidst backlash and concerns over Shaheen Afridi’s form, there are discussions within the PCB about resting him for the Sydney Test if he doesn’t perform well in Melbourne and the team faces another defeat. This strategic move aims to keep Afridi fresh for the subsequent T20I series in New Zealand.

See Also:Perth Scorchers Skipper Ashton Turner Out for the Rest of Big Bash League Season Following Knee Surgery

Pakistan’s bowling attack is already weakened with the absence of injured Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf, who opted out of the series to participate in Australia’s T20 Big Bash League. Khurram Shahzad’s injury is a significant setback, prompting his return to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore for comprehensive injury care and rehabilitation.

The team management is contemplating experimenting with a new opening combination of Saim Ayub and Babar Azam during the T20I series in New Zealand. This decision arises as the former Pakistan skipper, who has partnered with Muhammad Rizwan in T20s for the past few years, has been advised to prepare for a potential new opening partner. Pakistan faces challenges in reshaping their bowling unit and finding effective combinations amidst the ongoing series against Australia and the impending T20 contests in New Zealand.