The spectators are anticipating a high-voltage game in a one-off T20I at the tour’s conclusion, despite the fact that all stadium tickets are sold out. It’s a clash of two in-form Twenty20 International sides: Australia has won ten of their last 12 matches [one following a Super Over against Sri Lanka] and Pakistan has won 11 of their last 12 – their only defeat coming in the T20 World Cup semi-final.
While the outcome of the match is debatable, it is another game on the road to the men’s T20 World Cup in Australia later this year.
This contest reunites two of the semi-finalists from last year’s event, which Australia won in a thrilling finish thanks to Matthew Wade and Marcus Stoinis.
Australia’s side for this game, however, will look very different, with only three players from the semi-final – Stoinis, Aaron Finch, and Adam Zampa – set to take the field, with the remainder missing for a variety of seasons.
The visitors will field a very different team than the last time the teams met, while Pakistan may be able to welcome back some key players. Khan Shadab
Pakistan (possible) Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Babar Azam (captain), Fakhar Zaman, Asif Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Haider Ali, Khushdil Shah, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Wasim, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf
The Australian continent (possible) Aaron Finch (captain), Travis Head, Ben McDermott, and Josh Inglis/Alex Carey are the starters (wk), Marcus Stoinis, n.d. Green, Cameron, 6 Sean Abbott, no. Ashton Agar/Mitchell Swepson No. 8, Nathan Ellis No. 9, Adam Zampa No. 10, Jason Behrendorff No. 11
Babar and Rizwan have an average partnership of 56.65 runs in Twenty20 Internationals, which is the third-highest of any pairing with at least 20 innings. Australia’s highest score is 36.66, which was achieved by Finch and David Warner.
Finch’s last three innings against Pakistan have all ended in a duck.
The ODI series was won by Pakistan’s Babar-XI, while the test series was won by Australia’s Pat Cummings-XI.
