Pakistan cricket is going though a trying phase following changes in management and leadership.
If Pakistan thought the World Cup was tough, they were in for a rude shock during the home T20 series against a heavily depleted Sri Lankan side that they ended up losing 3-0 last month. The No 1 side in T20 cricket lost badly to a replacement side after many top Sri Lankan players refused to tour the country.
Chief selector and head coach Misbah-ul-Haq rang in the changes, with the under-performing Sarfaraz Ahmed sacked as captain. Now they have new leaders in place with star batsman Babar Azam captaining the T20 side and Azhar Ali taking charge of the Test team.
The first assignment for Babar and Azhar is a full tour of Australia comprising of three T20s and two Tests.
The tour begins with a T20 in Sydney on Sunday, which means Babar will be the first to step into the unknown. And it is going to be a mighty challenge.
The men in green are the top-ranked side in the 20-over format but their shock defeat to a weakened Sri Lankan side has seen them lose ground. Pakistan have 274 ranking points, just eight more than second-placed England and 12 more than Australia, who are in fourth.
If the Aussies sweep the series 3-0, Pakistan will lose their T20 crown.
It will be a cruel way for Babar to start life as captain but that seems a definite possibility after the Aussies thrashed the same Pakistan-conquering Sri Lankan side 3-0 this week.
However, this hasn't stopped the Pakistan management from picking young players. Teen fast bowlers Musa Khan (T20 and Tests) and Naseem Shah (Tests only) will be taking on the likes of Steve Smith and David Warner in their first assignments over the next few weeks. The visiting batsmen will have to contend with pace demons Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and co. for a month.
How Babar and his team start on Sunday will show whether the Sri Lanka defeat was a one-off or a sign of things to come. If Pakistan do manage to preserve their top ranking and even win the T20 encounter, Azhar and his Test side will feel slightly better.
