When a Wasim Akram-led Pakistan toured Australia in 1999, it was billed as a contest between the two best sides in the world, in both cricketing formats back then. The two sides had contested the World Cup final - albeit one-sided - only five months before the showdown and Pakistan had the chance to exact revenge on their hosts to win their first ever Test series in Australia.
Pakistan were blanked 3-0. That began a decade-long run of three-nil whitewashes against Australia: the other two being in 2004 and 2009. In fact when Pakistan won the ‘home’ Test match against Australia at Headingley in the fateful summer of 2010, it was Pakistan’s first win over the Kangaroos for a decade and a half. On the coming Thursday, Pakistan recommence their search for the first series win against Australia in 52 years.
The Test match in Brisbane would be both teams’ second day-and-night Test over the past couple of months. With players taking time warming up to the newest offering in the oldest format, the pink ball game at the Gabba would make for an intriguing curtain raiser.
Misbah-ul-Haq
It's safe to say that the series will be won or lost depending on how Pakistani fast bowlers perform
While Pakistan might have slipped to number 4 from the summit after three successive Test defeats, they can still boast a more successful recent past as compared to their hosts. Even so, in chasing history, Pakistan would be taking on their past failures as much as they would look to outdo an average Australian side low on confidence.
Azhar Ali
The rules of the game for Pakistan in Australia would be straightforward. Pakistan must try to ignore the baggage of history and realise that on paper, this month’s challenge isn’t as daunting as the ones posed in England and New Zealand. The success in England was built on dogged determination, and mental strength, while the failure in New Zealand had as much to do with the Kiwis’ impressing showing with the ball as it was about Pakistan having virtually no time to get acclimatised to the conditions - something they managed to do successfully in England.
Mohammed Amir
In Australia the challenge would be different. The conditions won’t be as skewed towards the bowlers as they had been in New Zealand. But that would also mean that the entire squad, especially the fast bowlers and middle order batsmen, would have to up their game for the challenge ahead.
The recent showings of Asad Shafiq and Younis Khan have been worrisome to say the least. Technically speaking, they are the two best batsmen in a batting lineup that has looked impressive in all conditions. Younis especially, for so long the mainstay of Pakistan’s batting lineup, needs to step up for what would surely be his last tour of Australia.
The opening pair has cemented itself, despite producing a mixed bag over the past year. Promoting Azhar Ali up the order has stabilised one half of Pakistan’s Achilles’ heel, with Sami Aslam impressive in bits as well. Babar Azam’s performance in New Zealand was one of the few bright points for the side, and this top three is going to be crucial in getting Pakistan off to good starts in the upcoming series.
Yasir Shah
While the conditions in New Zealand had completely nullified Yasir Shah’s threat, he would look to return to leading the bowling side in Australia. But it’s safe to say that the series will be won and lost depending on how Pakistani fast bowlers perform.
Mohammed Amir is still waiting for a headline performance, and there are few better places to do that than Australia. Wahab Riaz, Sohail Khan, Rahat Ali and Imran Khan all are vying for the two other slots for pacers and still trying to nail a place in the starting lineup.
Captain Misbah-ul-Haq has parried questions over his retirement to ensure that it isn’t a distraction during the series. But with series against India virtually impossible over the next year or so, one can’t help but wonder whether this would be his swansong.
Misbah would want to leave on a high, even though the PCB has requested him to play on till 2018. Either way, leading Pakistan to their first ever series win in Australia after captaining them to the ICC Test mace would be a fitting way to wrap up an illustrious career.
