Captain Sarfaraz Ahmed wants Pakistan to draw inspiration from last week’s victory over England, come Wednesday’s World Cup fixture against Australia in Taunton.

Pakistan beat England at Trent Bridge in Nottingham despite centuries from batsmen Jos Buttler and Joe Root. The Pakistanis have contested 103 ODIs against Australia since the first in 1975 – and have won only 32.

‘We have not won many matches against Australia, but we had not won too many against England either, and we managed to beat them,’ said Ahmed.

‘We will be as positive and aggressive as we were against England. That is the level of performance we want and need to be successful against a team like Australia.

‘That last win at Trent Bridge gives us confidence and belief, but we know that Australia will come hard at us and we will be ready.’

Pakistan and Australia contested a five-ODI series in the United Arab Emirates earlier this year. The Australians won all five fixtures.

‘The series against Australia is in the past now and we aren’t thinking about yesterdays, we’re only thinking about the tomorrow,’ added Ahmed.

The Australians will be without all-rounder Marcus Stoinis, who has been sidelined with a side strain. Fellow all-rounder Mitchell Marsh has been added to the squad as injury cover.

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