'Pakistan can defeat Australia in dead rubber'

Former Test cricketer Jalaluddin believes team performs well without pressure

KARACHI: Former Test cricketer Jalaluddin thinks that Pakistan can beat Australia in the last of the five-match ODI series since they will not be under pressure to save the series, which the hosts have already won 3-1.

“Pakistan have already lost the series and now they are not under any pressure,” Jalaluddin told The Express Tribune. “They know the result of the final won’t matter. This will take the pressure off and they will go into the last match to just play.”

He added that Pakistan, by winning one match (the second ODI) in the series, have consolidated their position in the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) ODI rankings on number eight. This will also be a stress reliever as the fear of dropping to ninth position is out of question.

“They won one match to secure their position [in the ICC ODI rankings] so the pressure of going down in the rankings is also not there,” he said.

Australia’s top order faltered in the first and second ODI courtesy some good bowling by Pakistani pacers and Jalaluddin was full of praise for them. “Australia have been giving chances to Pakistan to win matches, however we failed to turn those opportunities into wins,” he said.

Meanwhile, Jalaluddin also warned Pakistan that they should not expect Australia to be complacent in the dead rubber.

“Australia will give their best in the last match since they come out to win every match. Apart from looking at how to win the series, Australia try to win each and every match. So, even if they have won the series, they will still try their best to win the last match,” he explained.

Jalaluddin also identified the key batsmen for Pakistan who can give the Aussies a run for their money in Adelaide.

“Left-handed opener Sharjeel Khan has the ability to score runs in the top order, while veteran batsman [Shoaib] Malik can score in the middle order. It will be good if skipper Azhar Ali tries to score quickly too. He may lose his wicket in the process but wasting balls will hurt Pakistan more than his dismissal.”

Meanwhile, Jalaluddin said spinners would play a big role in Adelaide Oval conditions. “Imad Wasim, Mohammad Hafeez and Malik need to perform for Pakistan with the ball and I am hopeful that Pakistan will win the final match,” he said.

Pakistan were whitewashed 3-0 in the Test series on their current tour to Australia. In the ODIs, Australia started off the five-match series with a victory but Pakistan levelled it 1-1 in the second match. However, the hosts came back strongly and won the next two matches to bag an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series.