LAHORE – Australian batting all-rounder Matthew Short says Australia are fully prepared to tackle Pakistan’s spin threat and are determined to end their recent struggles against the hosts ahead of the three-match ODI series starting May 30 in Rawalpindi. Speaking to reporters during Australia’s training session at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Monday, Short admitted the visitors faced difficulties against spin in their previous tour of Pakistan and during matches in Sri Lanka ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. However, he insisted Australia had learned from those experiences and were now better prepared if similar conditions were offered in the upcoming ODI series.
“When we look back at the last T20 series we had here before the World Cup, those games were part of our preparation after what we had seen in Sri Lanka,” Short said and added: “I’m not 100 percent sure what sort of surfaces they are going to produce for us here, but if it’s anything like those conditions, we are prepared for it.” Australia endured a disappointing T20I series in Pakistan earlier this year, suffering a 3-0 whitewash as Pakistan’s spin attack dominated throughout the contest. Pakistani spinners, including Mohammad Nawaz, Abrar Ahmed, Shadab Khan and Saim Ayub, collectively claimed 20 wickets across the three matches.Short himself struggled during the series, scoring only 34 runs in three innings and falling to spin in each match.
Despite those setbacks, the Australian batter maintained that the visitors had done extensive preparation for spin-friendly conditions.“It was a disappointing series for us, but if we face those kinds of conditions again, we’re certainly preparing for them and ready for the challenge,” he added. The upcoming ODI series also marks Australia’s first 50-over contest against Pakistan since the Green Shirts secured a historic 2-1 ODI series victory over the Australians in November 2024.Short acknowledged Pakistan’s recent dominance in white-ball cricket but stressed Australia remained highly motivated to reverse the trend.“Anytime you play against an opposition, you want to win,” he said.“Pakistan have had it over us in the last couple of series, so we’re certainly in the hunt for a series win here.” The right-handed batter also dismissed suggestions that Australia’s focus was divided because of upcoming Test assignments, emphasizing the team’s commitment to succeeding in white-ball cricket.“There’s been a lot of talk about the Test group coming up, but we really want to make sure we win these white-ball series,” Short concluded.The three-match ODI series between Pakistan and Australia will be played from May 30 to June 4 in Rawalpindi and Lahore.
