We are better than what our ranking suggests, says Wasim

After a momentous breakthrough victory over Australia at the MCG on Sunday (January 15), a previously beleaguered Pakistan received a desperately needed tonic. Their six-wicket victory in the second One-Day International (ODI) levelled the series at 1-1 and ended a long-running hoodoo on Australian soil against the hosts.

Astoundingly, it was Pakistan's first victory over Australia in Australia since January of 2005, ending a streak of 16 consecutive losses across the formats. With Australia battered due to injuries striking and fatigue seemingly settling in after an arduous schedule, there is a sense Pakistan can sniff a series upset.

A victory is of major importance for Pakistan, who are dangerously perched at No. 8 in the ODI world rankings with only the top eight teams guaranteed an automatic berth to the 2019 World Cup.

Imad Wasim, Pakistan's left-arm spinner, said the team was much better than that lowly ranking. "I personally believed before coming to this tour that we could beat any team in the world in shorter formats, because our team combination is very good," he told the media in Perth on Tuesday (January 17). "Number eight in the world ... that's the ranking, but our side is better than that.

If you don't believe you can beat any opposition, there's no point coming here. We are here to beat them. We are here to play good cricket. We are here to fight," he added.

In a major blow to their chances, Azhar Ali, Pakistan's captain, has been ruled out of the match after suffering a hamstring strain in the opening match of the series in Brisbane but could return for the fourth ODI in Sydney on Sunday (January 22).

However, fuelling their chances are the absences of Australian spearhead Mitchell Starc and allrounder Mitch Marsh, who misses a chance to play on his home deck after suffering a shoulder injury in Melbourne. Starc has been rested in a bid to rejuvenate after a heavy workload this summer. Peter Handscomb, the Victorian middle-order batsman, and allrounder Marcus Stoinis have been called into the squad.

Wasim, who has been a key contributor for Pakistan with four wickets during the opening two matches, believed Pakistan could capitalise on Australia's depleted team. "Starc is a world-class bowler and Mitchell Marsh is a great all-rounder," he said. "He's been a match-winner for Australia and Starc as we all know, he's the best bowler in the world in all the formats.

"It's a good thing for us, but Australia has got good back-up bowlers. I think they're going to come hard at us and we're be ready for it," he added.

In both of the opening matches, Pakistan has been able to scythe through Australia's top-order and will need to replicate that at the WACA if they are to take a series lead, according to Wasim. "These are very good batting wickets," he said. "It's hard work. You have to bowl in good areas. I think we bowled really well, to be very honest."