Pakistan vs. Australia: Winners and Losers from ODI Series

Australia have just returned to No. 1 in the world in the International Cricket Council’s one-day international rankings on the back of a comprehensive 3-0 whitewash of sixth-placed Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates.

And we examine just who the real winners and losers were from that three-match series…

Winner: Steven Smith (Australia)

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With Australia’s opening match at the 2015 World Cup taking place exactly four months today, it looks like the co-hosts have found themselves a new No. 3 for the tournament in the form of the cherubic-faced Steven Smith.

Coach Darren Lehmann tried out both Mitchell Marsh and Michael Clarke in the pivotal role during the recent tri-series in Zimbabwe, before then turning to the New South Wales batsman when the skipper was forced to return home after aggravating his hamstring injury.

But while the likes of all-rounder Shane Watson, as well as Shaun Marsh and backup wicketkeeper Matthew Wade have also all been given a go in the position this year, Smith is now the man firmly in possession of the spot after his Man-of-the-Series display in the UAE.

And that includes the 25-year-old’s maiden ODI ton in a man-of-the-match performance in the tourists’ win in the opening match in Sharjah and a vital half-century in the final game in Abu Dhabi on Friday on his way to topping the run-scoring table on both sides.

Winner: Sarfraz Ahmed (Pakistan)

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This being Pakistan, no one should really be that surprised that coach Waqar Younis and the selectors decided to try out a new wicketkeeper in this recent series against Australia with just four months to go until they kick off their World Cup campaign.

Umar Akmal had previously worn the gloves in Sri Lanka in August, but it was felt that the diminutive right-hander would be more effective when freed up solely to concentrate on his batting, so opening the door for a comeback for wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfraz Ahmed.

That decision, though, is now looking inspired after the 27-year-old—who made his one-day debut way back in 2007, only to play 26 matches in seven years before his recall to the side—scored more runs in the series than any other batsman bar Australia’s Steven Smith.

And that includes both the stumper’s maiden ODI half-century and his personal-best knock of 65 in the second game in Dubai on Friday, an innings that was also the highest score made by any player from his country during the entire three matches.

Winner: Glenn Maxwell (Australia)

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Another man who may just have played his way into Australia’s line-up for their opening World Cup contest against England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on February 14 after some eye-catching displays against Pakistan is the dynamic Glenn Maxwell.

The Victorian was man of the match in both the second and third ODIs after starring with the bat in the former and the ball in the latter, versatility that could just see Maxwell edge out rival James Faulkner if Australia opt to go with only one all-rounder in the tournament.

In fact, the impressive way in which the 25-year-old held his nerve in the final over in Abu Dhabi on Sunday to see the tourists home by just one run, after picking up the home team’s last two wickets without conceding a run, was indicative of a player confident in his abilities.

Loser: George Bailey (Australia)

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Australia may have whitewashed Pakistan 3-0 to return to the summit of the ODI world rankings, but stand-in captain George Bailey will still be feeling under pressure about his place in the side after a lean three matches with the bat by the ever-smiling Tasmanian.

The powerful right-hander, currently ranked as the fourth-best one-day batsman in the world by the ICC, was occupying the key No. 4 spot in the tourists’ batting line-up in the UAE in the absence of injured skipper Michael Clarke.

However, after compiling just 46 runs at a paltry average of only just over 15 in the series, question marks will surely now be asked about Bailey’s place in the side.

And with both Clarke and Shane Watson both certainties—fitness permitting that is—to return for the co-hosts at next year’s World Cup, the 32-year-old’s duck in Abu Dhabi on Sunday could not have come at a worse time for “Gorgeous George.”

Loser: Misbah-ul-Haq (Pakistan)

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Speculation was rife in Abu Dhabi on Sunday regarding Misbah-ul-Haq’s future as Pakistan’s ODI skipper after the 40-year-old was missing from the home team’s line-up for the final match against Australia, with Shahid Afridi taking over the captaincy duties.

But while the Pakistan Cricket Board came out after the tourists’ narrow one-run win to clarify that Misbah was simply taking a break to recharge his batteries ahead of the upcoming Tests and would definitely still be in charge for the World Cup, do not be so sure.

As not only did the veteran make just 15 runs in the series, including a first-ball duck in the opening contest in Sharjah, but that only continued a dreadful recent run with the bat in the one-day arena that has seen Misbah average only 22.5 in 10 games so far this year.

Loser: Aaron Finch (Australia)

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Big-hitting Australia opener Aaron Finch may just be looking a bit nervously over his shoulder now after a disappointing three-match series with the bat in the UAE that saw the 27-year-old amass only 32 runs at an average of 10.66, including a highest score of 18.

And with experienced all-rounder Shane Watson set to return from his recent ankle and calf injuries in a Twenty20 match for his club side Sutherland on Sunday, there could be an interesting call to make at the top of the order for the co-host at next year’s World Cup.

As one thing is for certain, David Warner will definitely be occupying one of the two opening berths, leaving both Finch and Watson potentially to fight it out for the last remaining slot, which makes the former’s recent lean patch with the bat rather badly timed indeed.

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