Things we learnt from the 4th Pakistan-Australia ODI

Despite some good individual performances, the Men in Green were unable to stop hosts from clinching series

Despite some good individual performances, Pakistan were unable to impress as a unit and stop the Aussies from romping to a 3-1 series win in Sydney.

Here are some of the talking points from Pakistan’s 86-run loss to Australia in the 4th ODI:

1. Pakistan the reason for their own downfall

 

There goes the 'talented Pakistan youngster'. @Umar96Akmal (11 off 23) departs. PAK 218-6 https://t.co/EA73b0PpHy #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/6yPmo0pz2C

— Tribune Sports (@ETribuneSports) January 22, 2017

It wasn’t as if Pakistan played badly, it’s just that they could have avoided making a lot of mistakes which could have easily won the game for the visitors. Poor fielding, poor shot selection, inability of the batsmen to soak in the pressure and lack of leadership were the main reasons for Pakistan’s downfall.

The team management needs to do something about the mindset of the players because they are not lacking in ability, they are just finding it hard to believe in themselves.

2. Dropped catches slowly becoming a theme

 

Warner's innings comes to an.... wait what he has DROPPED it https://t.co/5HIP0krBur #AUSvPAK #4thodi pic.twitter.com/jgQYpIUd1Z

— Tribune Sports (@ETribuneSports) January 22, 2017

Poor fielding and Pakistan cricket go hand-in-hand and that was the case once again in the fourth ODI when the Men in Green put in a really sloppy performance in the field. Several misfields and dropped catches allowed Australia to post a strong total which certainly could have been avoided had Pakistan been more alert rather than lazy.

To this day no one knows where the problem of poor fielding lies and it seems like a problem which won’t be going away in the near future.

To be fair, it wasn’t only the visitors who had a bad day in the field; the hosts were also guilty of fielding blooper on a few occasions. But while their poor fielding is a rare anomaly, Pakistan’s is slowly becoming a theme.

3. Pakistan just can’t deal with Warner

 

Warner completes his ton. https://t.co/5HIP0krBur #AUSvPAK #4thodi pic.twitter.com/o0X1vO4aii

— Tribune Sports (@ETribuneSports) January 22, 2017

With his third century from six ODIs, David Warner once again proved to be a thorn in Pakistan’s side as he punished some sloppy performances by the Men in Green to propel Australia towards an imposing 353-6.

 

DROPPED! Another one by Sharjeel. https://t.co/5HIP0krBur #AUSvPAK #4thodi pic.twitter.com/mB6IDkw1xJ

— Tribune Sports (@ETribuneSports) January 22, 2017

Pakistan bowlers found it extremely difficult to restrict the explosive left-hander, who smashed 11 boundaries and two sixes in his 119-ball 130-run stand to help set the stage for an Aussie onslaught.

4. Sharjeel finally finding his rhythm

 

That was airborne for a very long time! Lands in the stands. @SharjeelLeo14 is on fire! https://t.co/EA73b0PpHy #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/SQabDANhru

— Tribune Sports (@ETribuneSports) January 22, 2017

Having taken time to find his way, the whole of Pakistan breathed sigh of relief when Sharjeel reached his half-century mark in the 3rd ODI and his 74-run blitz will only have increased his confidence as the fiery batsman now looks settled in the opening role for the Men in Green.

If someone can set the stage for Pakistan to chase 354, it is this man @SharjeelLeo14! Do you agree? https://t.co/EA73b0PpHy #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/KzSrE2EiJj

— Tribune Sports (@ETribuneSports) January 22, 2017

Short, precise and pacy, his innings had all the characteristics required from an opener and should he learn to be more consistent, he certainly has what it takes to make the opener’s spot permanently his own.

5. Hasan Ali must be groomed for the future

 

OUT! Smith departs too. Hasan Ali takes wickets in quick succession. https://t.co/5HIP0krBur #AUSvPAK #4thodi pic.twitter.com/vo924WpFCU

— Tribune Sports (@ETribuneSports) January 22, 2017

With all other bowlers bleeding runs, this was Hasan Ali’s moment to shine who accepted the invitation with open arms and was the only one who actually took the game to the hosts. His career-best 5-52 showed the potential the young pacer from Mandi Bahauddin has under his belt and his brilliant bowling has left the selectors with an important question: should they stick with Muhammad Amir, or allow other budding stars to prove their mettle?

6. Azhar Ali needs time to settle back in

Pakistan captain Azhar Ali (7) departs without disturbing the Aussies https://t.co/EA73b0PpHy #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/nK0Utpo322

— Tribune Sports (@ETribuneSports) January 22, 2017

It was a forgettable performance at best for the returning captain Azhar who simply did not look at his best during his short stay at the crease. On a pitch which offered a lot to the batsmen, Azhar was unable to find his stride and lost his wicket after having made only seven runs.

The ODI skipper will certainly take some time to get back to full fitness and after a series of gruelling tours, it may be time for the skipper to tend to his health first.