Pakistan warned of 'scary' totals in ODIs against Australia

Travis Head, Australian middle-order batsman, believes his side can score 'scary' totals, provided they can create a good platform at the start of the innings in the upcoming five-match ODI series against Pakistan starting Friday at the Gabba, Brisbane.

"I think it's scary now what you can get in the last 20 overs of an ODI if you set a great platform, which is what we've done against New Zealand," said Head as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

Australian skipper Steve Smith will also have the services of big-hitting Chris Lynn, whom Head thinks can be lethal in the middle order.

"We were able to set good platforms and give 25 overs to playing like T20. Yeah, it definitely brings in guys into it, a lot more than [before]. Lynny's batting fantastic, yeah, he can clear the fence with ease. So, if we build a good platform and if he's in that middle order, it's scary what we can get."

Pakistan, who suffered a series whitewash in the three-Test series, on the other hand, will be without the services of regular wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfraz Ahmed as well as towering left-arm pacer Mohammad Irfan, who both had to return back home because of family issues.

Irfan had to leave for Pakistan following the demise of his mother whereas Ahmed also had to rush back home after his mother fell sick.