Defensive approach and a big blunder by skipper Misbahul Haq cost Pakistan the one-day series at Sharjah Stadium. Captain Misbah did not called for review about Mike Hussey lbw appeal on Saeed Ajmal delivery that hit batsmen on back and he was plumb, umpire declared him not out. If he had challenged umpire’s decision, the match could be tilted in favour of Pakistan as Australians were struggling at that stage of the match. Television replays show that Mike Hussey was plumb and ball hit his back pad and in line of stumps. The commentators said that this was a big blunder of Pakistani skipper that might prove turning point of the match. Pakistan players dropped as many as four catches and a stump, the most costly of which was Maxwell when he was dropped by Azhar Ali off paceman Junaid Khan on 34. “At important stages of the game, we collapsed in batting and we have to make good use of batting power-plays,” said Misbah. Pakistan lost third ODI series in Misbah’s captaincy, after going down to England and Sri Lanka. “I think we have to improve in every department of the game especially to find out the right combination of fast bowling and improvement in batting and fielding departments,” said Misbah. Pakistan was attempting to break the defeat jinx against Australia as last time, they won against Aussies way back in 2002 in Australia. Pakistan were relying on Ajmal whom variations left the Australians muddled and after they chose to be cautious with him in the first two games, they might be considering a different approach this time. “Ajmal is a fantastic bowler and Australians have to change game plan,” David Hussey said. Australian captain played the match under a game plan and they implemented it successfully. They won the toss and put Pakistan into bat first and restricted them to 244 for seven. Pakistani openers started their innings slowly and cautiously and made 57 runs in the first 15 overs. But after 22 overs, Pakistan have crossed 100 runs mark and the opener provided 125-run opening stand. At that stage, it was evident that Pakistan will able to score 280 plus runs but after the departure of Nasir Jamshed at his personal score of 48, no batsman could come up to the expectations of the fans. Clarke looked worried a bit when Pakistan openers cross the century mark for the opening stand but after departure of Jamshed, the Australian captain put pressure on Pakistan and pushed them to back foot. Clarke succeeded in his tactics and Pakistan bogged down and started playing more cautiously that proved harmful for them. Australia successfully chased down a challenging 245-run target on the back of contrasting half-centuries from Michael Hussey (65) and Glenn Maxwell (56 not out), overcoming a serious threat from off-spinner Saeed Ajmal who took 3-37. Australia combated the spin well but also the sapping heat and perturbing humidity during all three matches. “We worked really hard before coming on this series. We were up in Darwin as a team and worked hard against spin bowling. We found conditions so different to what we tried to prepare for up in Darwin, especially in the heat. I’ve never played in heat like this. The most pleasing thing is the whole series was won by the whole team, it wasn’t one individual player,” said Clarke. He said the team combination was important. “As captain of this team and the Test team, it’s important for me to have a mix of youth and experience. I think that showed. You saw Maxwell, who hasn’t played too much cricket, go out and play his natural game,” the Australian captain said. Shahid Afridi, who missed the second match, was back in the game but he disappointed fans first he dropped a catch at mid-on of David Hussey who was sent to open the innings for the Australians as he was struggling to gain form. Hussey put on 44 runs for the first wicket before Warner caught at long leg by Abdul Rehman. Though Asad Shafiq and Azhar Ali are good players yet they need time to adjust themselves in the shorter format of the game and they should be dropped and inducted experience players like Yasir Hameed, Younus Khan and M Yousuf who are capable of playing in the shorter formats of cricket. Asad also dropped a sitter at square leg of Maxwell off the bowl of Junaid. Pakistan players displayed poor fielding during the match. Kamran Akmal also missed two stumping chances on the bowling of Saeed Ajmal on whom Pakistan team was relying and failed in batting. Now the time is ripe to sack Pakistan captain Misbah as well as Akmal brothers who play for money not for the country. I will propose to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) not to include any of those players whosoever be suspect of fixing scam and try youngsters who are waiting for their turn to play for Pakistan. Our work is to give proposals to the board and to imply or not is in hands of the concerned authority of the board. The fielding department becomes headache for the team despite having one of the best coach for this department but it seemed that he had failed to prove his credentials. He should be sacked and either Sabih Azhar or Ijaz Ahmed should be nominated fielding coach for national team to improve this department.