The series in India was near-perfect for Australia. They lost the first two ODIs, despite competing well, but fought back to win the five-match series 3-2.

Over the course of the series, Usman Khawaja hit two centuries and staked claim for an opening slot at the World Cup. Finch himself hit form, after going through an extended lean patch, and scored a 93 in Ranchi.

The likes of Glenn Maxwell and Peter Handscomb shored up the middle order, and the batting troubles that plagued Australia previously seemed an age away. The team spirit was all too evident, and the selectors decided to name the same squad for their series in the UAE against Pakistan.

All of which, Finch said, proved Australia, the reigning world champions, were never just underdogs for the premier event later this year. “People will no doubt have taken notice [of the India series win].

"Australia are probably never true underdogs in a world tournament. I think our record suggests that. Regardless of form you go into the tournament [knowing] Australia have a great ability to play well in big tournaments.

"[We are] slightly underdogs but I think some people would have taken a bit more notice over the last couple of weeks.”

Pakistan's stand-in captain Shoaib Malik, for one, has taken notice. “I am sure they sat down and talked about everything,” said Malik. “If you look at what the Australian team was a couple of years ago, you could see the same aggression and the same amount of confidence.

“The series they played against India in India, it was a very big series for them. That series itself tells that things are much better in the dressing room. Even though Australia did not win many series until [India], I considered them one of the strongest teams at any big event.”

The first one-day international between Australia and Pakistan will be in Sharjah on Friday, 22 March.