Pat Cummins and Pakistan: Return of ODI Action
This series is particularly significant for Pakistan, who haven’t played an ODI since their last World Cup match nearly a year ago. Since then, there has been plenty of drama in Pakistan's camp: Babar Azam stepped down as captain twice, and Mohammad Rizwan has been given temporary leadership.
Australia and Pakistan are set to begin a three-match ODI series on Monday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), marking the start of Australia's men’s international season and a build-up to the 2025 Champions Trophy. Following the series against Pakistan, Australia will play a one-off game in Sri Lanka in February as part of their Champions Trophy preparation. The Australian team is largely stable despite recent retirements and lineup changes, including David Warner's retirement and the absence of Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head due to paternity leave, along with an injury to Cameron Green.
Pat Cummins, who continues as Australia’s ODI captain, is expected to play two of the three matches. The bowling lineup, including Cummins, is being carefully managed to ensure their availability for upcoming Tests. Australia’s recent form has been promising, coming off a 3-2 series victory over England in September. Rising players like Matt Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk now have an opportunity to make an impression in the absence of established names.
This series is particularly significant for Pakistan, who haven’t played an ODI since their last World Cup match nearly a year ago. Since then, there has been plenty of drama in Pakistan's camp: Babar Azam stepped down as captain twice, and Mohammad Rizwan has been given temporary leadership. Key players like Babar, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah return to the lineup, and Jason Gillespie has stepped in as interim head coach after Gary Kirsten's short-lived tenure.
In terms of team news, Cummins confirmed that Josh Hazlewood and Cooper Connolly will miss the opening match, and Lance Morris has been added for fast-bowling support. For Pakistan, Mohammad Rizwan will bat at No. 4, while Irfan Khan is set to make his ODI debut. The Melbourne pitch is expected to favor fast bowlers, offering pace and bounce, and the conditions are forecasted to be cool and overcast, which may add some swing to the contest.
For Australia, Glenn Maxwell is nearing the milestone of 4000 ODI runs, needing just 66 more to reach it. Pakistan's Babar Azam is one century away from matching Saeed Anwar’s record for most ODI hundreds for Pakistan. Historically, Australia holds a strong record at the MCG against Pakistan, having won 10 out of their 14 encounters.
Both teams aim to balance building their squads for the Champions Trophy with testing young talents in this series.
