We're one of the best: Maxwell

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Having started the VB Tour of the UAE with a convincing six-wicket win in Monday morning's Twenty20, Australia is keen to "keep the foot on the throat" of Pakistan for the three one-day internationals and two Tests to come.

With Pakistan already reeling from the ban handed down to spinner Saeed Ajmal for an illegal bowling action, and with rumours swirling the hand injury to Mohammed Hafeez could be bad enough to rule him out of the Test series, the Australians are keen to capitalise.

"That's what we were aiming to do tonight, to really put our front foot forward and basically put a dent in Pakistan and make it harder for them to come back for the rest of the time we're here," said Glenn Maxwell, who set the tone by taking three wickets in a three-over spell to open the match.

"To start a series like that where it's a really dominating win with six overs left is a great way to start a tour.

"If you can keep your foot on the throat the whole way through the tour and basically stay on the opposition the whole way through it just shows what you're really here to do.

"It's something we haven't done in an away series for a while.

"Especially going back to the India tour where India just basically stood on us the whole way through that series and it was tough to come back from.

"Hopefully we can do that to Pakistan and go home with six wins."

Maxwell was named man of the match for his career-best 3-13 and, with impressive displays from the glut of debutants at the Dubai International Stadium, the team is eying a climb up the T20 rankings.

"You look at our T20 ranking …. I don't think (it) is a good show of where we are as a T20 team in the world.

"We're one of the best, I just don't think we play enough together."

The T20 side will have further opportunity to gel as a unit with the three-match KFC T20 International series against South Africa at home in early November.

Maxwell was especially glowing in his praise of the debut from Hobart Hurricanes leg-spinner Cameron Boyce.

"To perform like that on the big stage, in your first international game is a super effort," said Maxwell.

"He was landing them and spinning them and showcasing his full skill. Hopefully he can keep doing that for Australia."