Pakistan wary of in-form Aussies

The enormity of defeating India on their home patch has not been lost been lost on Australia's rivals, though Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik admits he'd never doubted the reigning 50-over champions' World Cup credentials.

Australia's one-day side heads into its final tune-up before the showpiece tournament on a major high having knocked India off on their home patch, coming back from 2-0 in the series to win.

After seven consecutive series losses and with just four wins to show from their previous 26 completed ODIs before their trio of wins in India, it was a badly needed boost.

Malik, the 37-year-old who plans to bow out of ODI cricket following this year's World Cup, suggested it was a sign of Australia’s cohesion following several tumultuous months.

"What has happened in South Africa, I don't want to get into that, it's history now. But when your two key players are not in the side, any team can struggle," said the 279-ODI veteran who's filling in for Sarfraz Ahmed as skipper.

"I am sure they sat down and talked about everything. If you look at what the Australian team was a couple of years ago, you could see the same aggression and the same amount of confidence.

"The series they played against India in India, it was a very big series for them. That series itself tells that things are much better in the dressing room."

Aaron Finch's men will have the chance to confirm the growing sense that the jigsaw pieces are falling into place at just the right time in their five-game campaign against a Pakistan team missing many of their best players.

Australia's success in India came despite the absences of Steve Smith, David Warner, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, with the quartet’s likely return to set up an abundance of headaches for selectors.

Asked if Australia remain underdogs for their World Cup defence, Finch said: "People will no doubt have taken notice (of the India series win).

"Australia are probably never true underdogs in a world tournament. I think our record suggests that. Regardless of form you go into the tournament (knowing) Australia have a great ability to play well in big tournaments.

"So (we are) slightly underdogs but I think some people would have taken a bit more notice over the last couple of weeks."

While Malik's extensive international 50-over career that began almost two decades ago has oddly taken him to just one World Cup (in 2007), he's fully aware of the threat they are likely to pose in the United Kingdom this year.

"Even though Australia did not win many series until (India), I considered them one of the strongest teams at any big event," he said.

Qantas Tour of the UAE

First ODI: v Pakistan, March 22 in Sharjah

Second ODI: v Pakistan, March 24 in Sharjah

Third ODI: v Pakistan, March 27 in Abu Dhabi

Fourth ODI: v Pakistan, March 29 in Dubai

Fifth ODI: v Pakistan, March 31 in Dubai

(all matches begin at 10pm AEDT)