AUS vs PAK: Players to Watch Out For During Australia vs Pakistan ODI Series

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The much-awaited ODI series between Australia and Pakistan kicks off on November 4 at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. This series marks the start of a challenging white-ball leg for Pakistan, featuring three ODIs and three T20Is. Both teams will be eager to make a strong start, with Australia coming off a thrilling 3-2 series win over England, and Pakistan looking to regroup under new leadership, led by coach Jason Gillespie and captain Mohammad Rizwan.

Here’s a look at some players who could make a significant impact during the series:

1. Babar Azam

The charismatic batter and former captain of Pakistan, Babar Azam, finds himself at a crossroads. Coming off a difficult period, he faced criticism following his removal from the Test squad after the Multan Test defeat and his decision to step down as the white-ball captain before the series.

Despite these challenges, Babar has been a standout performer in ODIs for Pakistan with an impressive average of 56.72 across 117 matches. He has historically dominated Australian bowlers, with an average of 67.33 against them, including three centuries and two fifties. With a desire to silence his critics, Babar will be eager to prove himself and lead from the front on this Australian tour.

2. Jake Fraser-McGurk

Known for his explosive power-hitting, Jake Fraser-McGurk is another player to keep an eye on. While he has yet to fully realize his potential on the international stage, his capabilities are well recognized. The young batter caught the attention of selectors with his aggressive performances in IPL 2024, showcasing his ability to change the game single-handedly. After scoring a quickfire fifty in his last ODI against England, he enters this series with renewed confidence. With the opportunity to open the batting, Fraser-McGurk may well be poised for a breakthrough performance against Pakistan.

3. Josh Inglis

Currently, no batter in Australia appears to be in better form than Josh Inglis. He recently hit a T20I century against Scotland and followed it up with impressive scores of 122 against Queensland and 101 against Tasmania in Sheffield Shield matches this summer. Inglis’s consistent run-scoring ability makes him a critical asset to Australia’s batting lineup. With his aggressive style and growing confidence, he is set to be an important player as Australia looks to assert dominance over Pakistan.

4. Saim Ayub

Young talent Saim Ayub has already made headlines in 2023 when he debuted for the Australian Test team. Now, the promising opener is in line to make his ODI debut against Australia after showcasing his talent in Pakistan’s domestic One-Day Cup, where he scored an impressive 156. His aggressive batting approach and ability to convert starts into big scores will be crucial for Pakistan, especially as they seek stability at the top of the order.

5. Shaheen Shah Afridi

Shaheen Shah Afridi enters the series with something to prove after being dropped during the England Test series. Having not played an ODI in Australia yet, the tall left-arm pacer will be hoping for better fortunes in the shorter format than he experienced in Tests, where he has an average of 39.76 from four matches. Afridi’s pace and ability to swing the ball will be vital for Pakistan, and he could emerge as a key player in disrupting the Australian batting lineup.

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