Aus Pak Challenge: New Captains, Old Stars

After four years of not having faced each other, Australia and Pakistan face off in Dubai, UAE in a highly anticipated clash, notwithstanding the absentees.
Michael Clarke will captain the Australian team in the absence of Ricky Ponting who has been rested for the series as have been Mike Hussey and Mitchell Johnson while Brett Lee is still on the injury list.
For Pakistan captain Younis Khan and his team, this ODI series represents the perfect opportunity to bring some normalcy back in Pakistan cricket after the Lahore attack on the Sri Lankan cricketers last month.
The focus clearly is on seeing this tournament see the light of day which would reestablish connection between the two countries as well as allow the ailing Pakistan cricket to get some international cricket going finally for them in what has been a starving year to eighteen months, barring Sri Lanka’s presence last month that ended in tragic drama.
Younis Khan can be buoyant about playing his conditions that feel closer to home to Pakistan than Australia as also with the Australian absentees but he knows there are enough challenges up ahead that in the end, he may have to be content with simply seeing a good, competitive series through.
Younis will also have to make the decision of whether Shoaib Akhtar will have the opportunity to play an entire match in a bid to revive a forgotten career. Also on the other side is the case of Andrew Symonds who will look to forge his role once more after Andrew Hilditch gave the virtual signal that this could be Symonds’ last opportunity to make a comeback after a rather indifferent domestic season and many embroiled controversies off the field.
While the Australian players have faced actual match practice in South Africa, Pakistan have to count on their preparation to meet this first face off.

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