When it comes to the batting department, it looks like there is no depth in the batting line-up, with Misbah only to offer some solidity in the middle order. The out-of-form Umar Akmal will be a major worry for Pakistan. If I were Misbah I would want Sarfraz to don the gloves and allow Umar Akmal to get back to form. This would also mean with the inclusion Sarfraz, the batting department will look better too.
Meanwhile, Australia will hope that they carry the momentum from the T20 into the ODIs, but with a slightly different line-up. When the two teams met last time, Aussies won 2-1 and they will fancy their chances in this series as well.
Aussies are known for their killer instinct and they have already provided that in their first one-off T20. They would surely not let go that momentum going into the ODI series. With the strong batting line-up, Aussies are known to make completely use of this.
The Sharjah pitch will offer some turn but there should be plenty of runs available. With the dew being available later on, I would go with the option of bowling first on a dry surface and allow the dew factor to help the batting conditions.
I am expecting a one-sided affair with Aussies coming out with triumph.
My Pakistan XI: 1 Ahmed Shahzad, 2 Umar Amin, 3 Sohaib Maqsood, 4 Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), 5 Fawad Alam, 6 Umar Akmal (wk)/Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), 7 Shahid Afridi, 8 Wahab Riaz, 9 Raza Hasan, 10 Zulfiqar Babar, 11 Mohammad Irfan.
My Australia XI: 1 Aaron Finch, 2 David Warner, 3 Steven Smith/Phillip Hughes, 4 George Bailey (capt), 5 Glenn Maxwell, 6 Brad Haddin (wk), 7 James Faulkner, 8 Mitchell Johnson, 9 Sean Abbott, 10 Mitchell Starc, 11 Nathan Lyon.
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