AT last, the Pakistan cricket team had something to celebrate: a One-day International series victory against Australia that restored some faith that not all is doom and gloom when it comes to the nation’s favourite sport. Coming off series defeats in both Tests and ODIs on their tour of Bangladesh, which had followed a dismal outing at the Twenty20 World Cup, Pakistan were seeking a confidence boost when they welcomed Australia. They got exactly that when Shaheen Shah Afridi’s men upstaged Australia in a low-scoring third ODI for a 2-1 series victory. Shaheen had starred with the ball, taking 3-30 to bundle Australia out for 157 before Shadab Khan made a crucial unbeaten 29 to add to his two wickets and see Pakistan through a nervy chase culminating in a four-wicket win. Star batter Babar Azam and newcomer Ghazi Ghori struck half centuries in the opening game to help Pakistan win by five wickets, following a five-wicket haul by debutant spinner Arafat Minhas. The hosts came unstuck in the second match but the team delivered in the decider for a morale-boosting series victory as the side prepares for next year’s ODI World Cup.

As a triumphant team looks ahead to cricket’s showpiece event in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, questions are being raised about the quality of pitches in the Australia series. Pakistan used turning tracks in both Rawalpindi and Lahore — the venues for the ODIs — allowing their spinners to control the tempo of the matches. Unlike these surfaces, the World Cup pitches will be quicker and bouncier — tracks where Pakistan’s batting has often been found wanting. Shaheen defended the use of turning pitches, stating Pakistan played to their strengths in home conditions. He stated that Pakistan will continue to test themselves in all conditions as they fine-tune their preparations. The biggest takeaways for Pakistan, though, are that up-and-coming players like Arafat and Ghazi are shining. That augurs well for the future.

Published in Dawn, June 7th, 2026