PAK vs AUS 1st T20I: On Thursday, Pakistan will face Australia in the opening match of their highly anticipated 3-match T20I series at The Gabba, Brisbane. After a convincing 2-1 victory in the ODI series, Pakistan, led by Mohammad Rizwan, will aim for a strong start in the shortest format of the game. Meanwhile, Australia will be looking to bounce back after their disappointing defeat in the 50-over series.
Pakistan’s Strong ODI Campaign And T20I Squad Changes
Pakistan dominated in the ODI leg, defeating Australia 2-1 with brilliant performances across the board. Led by Mohammad Rizwan, the team’s bowling attack, featuring Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf, was exceptional. Their batting also showed significant promise, led by star player Babar Azam.
However, the T20I series presents a new challenge for Rizwan and his team. With several new faces in the squad for the T20Is, Pakistan will need to adapt quickly. Apart from Rizwan and Babar Azam, Usman Khan and Agha Salman are expected to play crucial roles with the bat. The bowling unit will be spearheaded by Shaheen, Haris, and Naseem, while left-arm wrist spinner Sufiyan Muqeem could play a key role in the middle overs.
Australia Seeks Redemption In The T20I Format
Australia enters the T20I series looking to recover from their series loss in the ODIs. Despite missing several key players, the hosts have a strong squad that can challenge Pakistan. With the batting prowess of Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, and Marcus Stoinis, along with the finishing abilities of Tim David, Australia’s batting looks solid.
On the bowling front, Australia’s pace attack will be led by Xavier Bartlett and Spencer Johnson, both of whom are familiar with the conditions at The Gabba, their home ground in the Big Bash League (BBL). Spinner Adam Zampa, with an excellent record at this venue, will also play a crucial role in Australia’s plans.
The Gabba Conditions: What To Expect
The pitch at The Gabba is known to offer assistance to fast bowlers, with extra bounce and seam movement, particularly in the early overs. Batters who can play off the back foot and adjust to the bounce will have an advantage once set. Spinners, especially in the game’s latter stages, could also get some overspin as the pitch wears. A score of around 170-175 is expected to be par at this venue, making it a competitive contest between bat and ball.
Probable Playing XIs
Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan (C/WK), Usman Khan, Babar Azam, Salman Ali Agha, Arafat Minhas, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Jahandad Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Sufiyan Muqeem, Haris Rauf
Australia: Jake Fraser-McGurk, Matthew Short, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis (C/WK), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Xavier Bartlett, Adam Zampa, Nathan Ellis, Spencer Johnson
Where To Watch?
Live broadcast and streaming will be on Star Sports Network and Disney+Hotstar.
