Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur has declared Australia will be a threat at the World Cup, having watched them steamroll his team 5-0 in an ODI series.
Arthur, who coached Australia from 2011 until 2013, wasthoroughly impressed with how clinical some of his former charges were duringthe past fortnight.
“I definitely think they are (capable of winning the WorldCup). They’re travelling really well,” Arthur said.
“All the final jigsaw parts are coming together nicely.
“Australia look a very, very good side. They will be athreat at the World Cup … I think there’s up to seven teams that can win theWorld Cup.”
Pakistan rested six stars, including captain Sarfraz Ahmed,from the entire series but Australia’s XI is also likely to look different atthe 50-over tournament.
Pat Cummins was wrapped in cotton wool for four of fivegames against Pakistan, while Steve Smith, David Warner, Mitchell Starc andJosh Hazlewood all remain confident about their chances of taking part inAustralia’s World Cup defence.
“You get Warner and Smith back, you put Starc and Cumminsback into that line-up. It’s pretty formidable,” Arthur said.
Usman Khawaja, one of four players who Arthur decided tosend home from a 2013 tour of India during the ‘homeworkgate’ saga, top-scoredwith 98 on Sunday as he continued an impressive run of form.
“He always was a class player,” Arthur said.
“He seems to have taken this game to the next level. He’samong the top batsmen in the world cricket now.
“That’s not surprising. Because he already had thatability.”
Khawaja, who was badly affected by dehydration towards theend of his innings, also earned plenty of praise from opening partner AaronFinch.
“He hit everything in the middle … that was a brilliantinnings,” Finch said.
“I was disappointed he didn’t get a hundred because hereally did deserve it with the series that he’s had.”
Arthur, who has copped stinging criticism from pace iconShoaib Akhtar and other pundits in his homeland during the past week, insistedPakistan had no option but to leave Ahmed and others back home because of theirbusy schedule in recent months.