Abbott’s batting exploits strengthens all-round case

While he didn’t have the impact he wanted with the ball in Australia's 2-1 ODI series loss to Pakistan, Sean Abbott proved why he can be labelled a genuine allrounder after some crucial performances with the bat.

Abbott backed up his 28 off 16 balls in game two with a pivotal 49 from 40 balls in the final game overnight, helping Australia scramble to 210 after being 9-166.

The NSW star, playing just his fifth ODI for Australia, shared a 44-run partnership with Adam Zampa for the last wicket (who remained 0 not out) and proved his worth as a middle-order batter.

"I certainly would have liked to have performed a little bit better with the ball, especially last game. We had a good opportunity there to defend a pretty good total that the batters gave us and Zamps and Nathan Ellis managed to get a couple of key wickets late," Abbott said.

"There's been plenty of opportunities the last 12 months at home with the (NSW) Blues and the Sixers … obviously today and in the last couple of games there's been an opportunity out there with the bat, so (I’m) trying to make the most of those."

The right-hander came in with the score at 6-148 in game three, with his ability to bat with the lower order keeping the Aussies in the game after a horror start.

Image Id: 5C376A312A55480392246A23337D707F Image Caption: Abbott lifts one over the keeper during his enterprising innings // Getty

"I just told Zamps to play back towards the site screen, he's played quite a lot of cricket now and is pretty experienced even if he has to come out there in that situation," Abbott said.

"We were still having the chat that we had to get as many runs as possible; they chased down 350 last game so 200 or 250 was not going to be enough. 

"We'll obviously back ourselves as a bowling unit to go out and start the match well in the bowling innings and defend whatever we leave ourselves with the bat, but we had to do whatever we could to get as many runs as we could.

"We're always trying to pick apart that sort of situation in the game at the end so we can play a little bit better, but I think Zamps did very well.

"It was tough conditions, as I said the ball was reversing and staying a bit low so credit to him, we managed to put on a few runs there and saw out some pretty important overs."

Despite a host of Australian stars missing the white ball leg of the tour, the 30-year-old said he was grateful to still have the chance of playing international cricket and believed he could hold down the allrounder position in both the short and long-term future.

"Obviously Ashton Agar was probably looking at that spot as well and you know, I'd stick my hand up to bat anywhere if they backed me in to bat at any position," he said. 

"I'd love to bat as high as I can for any team in any format, and I'd much prefer to be out there in the middle playing than on the sideline watching and waiting about, so I'd love to do that if possible."

He's likely to be afforded that opportunity for the sole T20 match on Wednesday morning AEDT, but the fast bowler isn't looking forward to the prospect of taking on Babar Azam again.

The Pakistan captain registered scores of 57, 114 and 105* in the three ODI matches, following on from a brilliant Test series that yielded two fifties and a near match-winning 196 in game two.

"He's due to hit one to a fielder on the full isn't he?" Abbott said.

"I think he's put on a bit of a masterclass the last couple of games as to how to bat on these wickets."

Qantas Tour of Pakistan 2022

First Test: Match drawn

March 12-16: Match drawn

March 21-25: Australia win by 115 runs

Pakistan ODI and T20 squad: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Abdullah Shafique*, Asif Afridi, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq*, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, Zahid Mahmood, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim, Saud Shakeel*, Shaheen Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani, Usman Qadir (*ODIs only)

Australia ODI and T20 squad: Aaron Finch (c), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Ben McDermott, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Adam Zampa

March 29: Australia win by 88 runs

March 31: Pakistan win by six wickets

April 2: Pakistan win by nine wickets

April 5: Only T20I, Lahore

All matches to be broadcast in Australia on Fox Cricket and Kayo Sports