Here Is What Is Right and What Is Wrong With Pakistan’s Squad For The ODIs Against Australia

Right after PSL 4, Pakistan are scheduled to meet the Aussie boys for a five-match One Day International (ODI) series in UAE. So, here is a look at what is right and what is wrong with Pakistan’s squad for the ODIs against Australia.

Read: Why Pakistan Leg Of PSL Holds Significance For PCB!

 Resting Key Cricketers

Besides regular captain Sarfraz Ahmed, Pakistan has decided to rest Babar Azam, Hasan Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Shaheen Afridi and Shadab Khan. They have all been on the move for a while. Hence, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has done well to ensure that key cricketers are able to find some rest before the world cup. After all you don’t want to go into the tournament with some of your best players either too tired or not available at all owing to injury concerns.

Read: Questions That Will Be Answered During Karachi Leg Of PSL 4

Testing The Bench Strength

Abid Ali, Saad Ali, Shan Masood, Mohd. Abbas, Umar Akmal and Mohd. Hasnain are all likely to play a few games during the series. Thus, the men in green should have a fair idea of their bench strength before the big tournament begins, something that will make decisions easy for the selectors if a key player needs to be replaced either before or during the world cup for any given reason.

Read: Key Pakistani Cricketers Who Have Lost Form Before The World Cup

Persisting With Faheem Ashraf And Usman Shinwari

Faheem Ashraf and Usman Shinwari might have performed decently during PSL 4 but their over-all performance during the last few months at the international level has been nothing to talk home about. Therefore, selectors seem to have missed a trick as there was no harm in testing the in-form Haris Rauf and Wahab Riaz during the rubber.

Read: These Cricketers Could Be Rested For Pakistan’s ODI Series Against Australia

Having Shoaib Malik As The Skipper

For the millionth time, PCB has decided to appoint Shoaib Malik as the stand-in skipper. The guys just not done well while leading Pakistan in South Africa and Multan Sultans during the last 2 seasons. He will retire from ODIs after the world cup anyway. Therefore, it would have been better to appoint a youngster while keeping the national side’s long term plans in mind.