Even though Australia have wrapped up the three-Test series against Pakistan, the latter still has a lot of pride to play for at Sydney. The tourists were thoroughly outplayed at Perth, but showed some fight at Melbourne before falling apart one again. The New Year will hopefully provide us with a much more closer tussle between these two unevenly matched sides.

Pakistan have a lot of problems at hand - firstly the injury to many of their key players. Inzaman-ul-haq missed the second Test due to a chronic back problem while Mohammed Sami is also a doubtful starter for the final Test. Two others got themselves on the injury list during the Melbourne game. Shoaib Malik hurt himself while all-rounder Abdul Razzaq was hospitalised twice after complaining of breathing problems. If these players don't take the field at Sydney, Pakistan's victory hopes will get even more remote.

Their on-field performance is another big worry. Like on their previous tour in '99-'00, this time too Pakistan had their chances to get the better of the Aussies. On the first day of the Perth Test, Shoaib Akhtar reduced Australia to 78/5 with his devastating opening burst. But the home side recovered courtesy Justin Langer and then, the Australian bowlers just blew away the visitors in both innings.

The hosts were once again in trouble at Melbourne. Pakistan, buoyed by Yousuf Youhana's 111 and Younis Khan's 87, posted a respectable total of 341 and then reduced the world champions to 203/5 by the end of the second day's play, Shoaib Akhtar once again being the main wrecker-in-chief. But Australia managed to snatch back the initiative and cruised to an easy nine-wicket victory- a telling comment on the mental attitudes of the two teams.
 

Certainly this aspect of the game is hurting Pakistan very badly. Despite having an extremely talented bunch of cricketers, they seem to be constantly crumbling under pressure. Bob Woolmer will have to work hard with the guys on this faulty part of their game. It is of utmost importance that Pakistan are in the right frame of mind before taking the field at Sydney.
 

Pakistan will have to show a lot of heart to make an impact in the third and final Test. Shoaib Akhtar, Yousuf Youhana and Younis Khan's performance is ample indication of the fact that they have the players to put up a good show against the world champions. But as former Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram wrote in a reputed publication, all the teams only want to compete against the best side in the world and not win. For them, putting up a credible show is as good as a win.

The one aspect in Pakistan's favour could be the Sydney track. After the bouncy, bumpy rides at Perth and Melbourne, Pakistan can expect the pitch to be a bit more spinner-friendly. Traditionally, Sydney pitches have been so and Anil Kumble in fact took 12 wickets a year ago, which is something Pakistan leggie Danish Kaneria can take heart from. But it's the batting which has been the biggest worry for the Pakistanis. Though even the bowlers have allowed the Aussies to get away after having them in trouble, if the batsmen can post huge totals, the bowlers can have ample opportunities to Test the Aussie batsmen.

Australia undoubtedly would be looking to wrap up the series 3-0, something which they have struggled to achieve of late. It's not very easy to motivate yourself once you know the series has already been won. But here's where great teams are separated from the rest. Australia certainly are one and being so, they will make every effort to clean sweep the series. With an ever in-form batting, bowling and fielding outfit, Australia certainly hold the upper hand at Sydney without doubt. But Pakistan can take heart from Australia's poor record in the last Test of a series. If they can catch Australia on the wrong foot at Sydney, Pakistan will have a great chance of pulling one back against the champion side. It will be a great morale-booster to the dispirited Pakistani side in the New Year.