Andrew McDonald has backed out-of-form captain Aaron Finch to lead Australia in the T20 World Cup this year ahead of a one-off match against Pakistan at Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday.
Opener Finch was dismissed without scoring in the second and third ODIs as the tourists suffered a 2-1 loss to a Babar Azam-inspired Pakistan side last week.
The skipper has not scored an international half-century since last July, but Australia interim head coach McDonald says he remains the man to lead his country when they attempt to defend their T20 World Cup title on home soil.
"From my end, there's no conversation around the [prospect] that he won't be there," said McDonald.
"His form can ebb and flow – like most players' can – and his ability to work through these patches has been significant in his career.
"We had the same conversation about David Warner leading into the T20 World Cup last [year], so all these conversations are going to happen.
"Do we think he's still good enough to play this level? One hundred per cent yes. That's as simple as it gets for us and we're building a team around him as captain.
"It's a pretty significant pillar to be discussing about not being at the T20 World Cup. From our end, we think he can still play at this level, 100 per cent."
Finch will be one of only three players who are set to face Pakistan in Lahore that were part of the side that won the World Cup in Dubai last November.
Australia will be looking for a fourth consecutive T20 win over Pakistan, but they will have their work cut out as the hosts have come out on top in 10 of their past 11 home matches in the shortest format.
Babar a class apart
Captain Babar made back-to-back centuries to give Pakistan a first ODI series win over Australia for 20 years.
The irrepressible skipper has made a staggering three hundreds, as many half-centuries and 36 in his past five knocks for his country - demonstrating his class in all formats.
As the top-ranked player in the world in both white-ball formats, Australia must find a way to remove Babar before he is set.
McDermott and Head vying for opening spot
Either Ben McDermott or Travis Head look set to open with Finch in the only T20 match before Australia head home.
There was good news for the tourists when Ashton Agar and Josh Inglis returned negative COVID-19 tests, while Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green are in contention to make their T20I debuts.