Miandad thinks ODI series against Australia will not be easy

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s cricketing legend Javed Miandad fears that a five-match ODI series against Australia starting in Brisbane from Friday, would not be an easy one and the green-shirts would have to play with all their might to save them from going into the qualifiers of the World Cup 2019.

Miandad feared Pakistan could fail to qualify for the International Cricket Council (ICC) CWC 2019 in the United Kingdom as it currently stands on eighth position in the ODI Team Rankings with 89 points, two behind Bangladesh and two ahead of the West Indies.

“To, at least, maintain its pre-series ranking points, Pakistan needs to win one match of the series, while victories in more than one match will earn it crucial points,” he said.

“If Pakistan wins two matches, then it will join Bangladesh on 91 points but will be ranked behind its Asian rivals by a fraction. But it Pakistan wins the ODI series against Australia it will move ahead of Bangladesh and, as such, will enhance its chances of qualifying directly for the event,” Miandad explained.

He said that Pakistan cricket team’s morale and confidence was low after the Test series loss against Australia and added, “We lack technique, stability and approach in all three formats which needs to be addressed”.

The cricket legend also advised the players to play for the country like a team.