T20 live Coverage PAK vs AUS: PAK hits Back to back Scoring Almost Half Century
Australia is doing it for them that Pakistan have not yet faced with a bowling attack with the firepower of their semi-final opponents. Having said this, when Australia faced a team anywhere close to the total strength of Pakistan, England, they politely went down the aisle. Perhaps, in a strange way, the Aussies can draw some inspiration from their Trans-Tasman rivals in terms of overcoming pre-match odds to make it to the finals.
There are two stripes on the line here. Australia has never lost to Pakistan in an ICC knockout match while Babar & Co have won their last 16 T20Is in the UAE. Whatever the case, it’s certain not one of them will be standing on Thursday night.
When: Pakistan vs Australia, Semi-Final, November 11, 18:00 local, 19:30 IST
Where: Dubai International Stadium, Dubai
What was expect: The toss has received a lot of criticism during this T20 World Cup and this has happened especially in Dubai where the team batting first has won only once. The average total here has been a poor 122, but as the World Cup progresses, the batsmen have started to speak more. Dubai has also seen more dew than the other two locations, making target defense even more challenging. Pakistan decided to prepare themselves for that situation by opting to bat first in their last two league matches. And his experience of successfully bowling second under lights could be the deciding factor at the end of the day.
T20I head-to-head: Pakistan 13 – Australia 9 (3-3 in T20 WC)
Both Team Watch:
Pakistan Injured Players: With the absence of training on the eve of the match due to flu symptoms from Mohammad Rizwan and Shoaib Malik, there will be a nervous wait for the announcement of the Pakistani playing XI. But they are expected to take their places and this should allow Pakistan to stick to their unchanged XI, which they are rightly clinging to.
Players Matchups: The Powerplay has had a powerful impact on proceedings in Dubai and overall Pakistan has played the first six overs period to their strength, with the bat anyway. They have gone for less than a run-a-over but have conceded only two wickets in 30 powerplay overs so far. Babar and Rizwan have chosen to either pace themselves or lay the groundwork for their aggressive middle order to set it up. And this has been proved by their position as the most destructive team of the tournament in the death overs.
Australia, however, will give a double threat with the ball. Josh Hazlewood has been the key wicket-taker for his team with the new ball while Adam Zampa has been the best spinner of the show. There is some buzz for the leg-spinner to take back Fakhar Zaman if the openers fail to keep him on the stands like he has consistently done so far.
Probable XI: Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Babar Azam (c), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Shah Afridi
Australia
Injured Players Concerns: Australia have one specialist spinner strategy to their credit and have so far got away using a mix of Mitch Marsh, Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell for their fifth bowling quota. And despite Ashton Agar’s impressive record against Pakistan, he is likely to be missed.
Tactics and matchups: Australia have worked hard with bat and ball in the beginning, and they will hold up against a team from Pakistan that hasn’t faced the kind of aggressive approach it took to save Afghanistan. If Afridi or Starc can hit a few overs early in their spell, the game can be decided by the two explosive left-arm fast bowlers on either side. Having said that, Haris Rauf, who really came into limelight during his time in Australia, could be the X-factor threat that the Aussies, along with Shadab Khan, make sure to take the middle overs on their way. will have to be rejected. , And the man who asked to do this is Maxwell, who has yet to fire. Many have chosen him to be Hussey since 2010, and if he comes out, Australia could well be headed for their second T20 World Cup final.
Probable XI: David Warner, Aaron Finch (c), Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade (wk), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.
What did they say:
“About 10 days ago our team was very old and now we are a seasoned team. That’s just how it is portrayed. From day one I was very confident about how we went about it. The team we got I don’t think we’ve exceeded our expectations. We’ve come here with a really clear plan to win this tournament, and we’re still alive to do that” – Aaron Finch, Australia captain .
Both Team Squad:
Pakistan squad: Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Babar Azam (c), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Nawaz, Haider Ali, Mohammad Wasim Junior, Sarfaraz Ahmed
Australia squad: David Warner, Aaron Finch (c), Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steven Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade (wk), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood, Kane Richardson, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Swepson MILF
Considering how the middle-order has blown hot and cold so far, Pakistan will be relying heavily on Shaheen Shah Afridi and Imad Wasim to break Australia’s opening partnership and win the Powerplay with the ball.