In the lead-up to the Australia series, Pakistan's Shaheen Shah Afridi is optimistic about Babar Azam's performance, hoping his PSL success continues. Babar, the highest run-getter in the recent Pakistan Super League, is set to return to the national team after a disappointing T20 World Cup. Shaheen believes Babar is crucial to Pakistan's middle order and hopes his form translates to match wins. However, the team is facing challenges with injuries and player selection, including the exclusion of Muhammad Rizwan and the inclusion of young players like Ghazi Ghori and Rohail Nazir. Australia, despite being under-strength, is determined to compete, with stand-in skipper Josh Inglis acknowledging the talent in their squad. The series, starting in Rawalpindi, will be a test of both teams' combinations and strategies, especially with the impact of the summer heat wave in Pakistan. As the teams prepare for the 1,000th ODI match, the focus is on performance and the potential for memorable moments.
