Aus v Pak World T20 Preview: ‘Group of Death’ reaches an intriguing climax in Mohali

The Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium is about to witness two of the most important matches in the ongoing World T20. Mohali waited for a while to get the feel of the marquee event but the fans in the city will be mighty pleased about the fact that the gates for semi-final will be opened from here for three teams who are having their share of struggles in the tournament thus far. Pakistan and Australia are the two teams who will want to make their mark tomorrow while India is the third team who will be welcomed warmly in this wonderful city in Northern India.

Australia:

There have been too many speculations about the Aussie playing eleven in this tournament. The team will be best advised to leave aside all speculations and stick to a sensible lineup for one. For a man of David Warner’s calibre, the new ball is a thing to be planted in the stands and one fails to understand why the team management has been adamant in playing him in the middle order. Shane Watson, who is all set to bid adieu to international cricket following the World T20 is well capable of playing in the middle order. One wonders what Aaron Finch, the number one T20 batsman in the world will be feeling at this moment!

Pakistan has always been considered as an unpredictable team in world cricket. Australian experts always seem to be wary of this team which can be brilliant on one day and ordinary on the other. The current team is likely to be well versed with this assessment and will surely not take the mercurial side lightly. Adam Zampa may well hold the key in making sure the Pakistani middle order stays in check.

Pakistan:

The team still has a better run-rate than the Aussies and India. A win is likely to put them in contention for the semis provide Australia then beats India by a close margin. This is likely to be Shahid Afridi’s last international match unless his team can pull off something incredible. The Pakistani skipper has had his fair share of criticism in recent times and will hope to end his incredible career on a winning note regardless of the result of the Indo-Aus match.

Batting has been a major cause of concern for the team. Sharjeel Khan gave the team a blistering start in the run-chase against New Zealand but the middle order failed to get on with the game and handed the Kiwis an easy win. The bowling will once again be relied heavily upon as Australia’s batting can be devastating on a batting track in Mohali. It promises to be a cracking contest as both teams will give their best to get the points on the board.

Pitch and Conditions:

The previous game at PCA between Pakistan and New Zealand witnessed a flat track with a tinge of grass. It can be safely assumed that this day game will also see another high-scoring contest. The surface here encourages stroke play and the team that bowls better is likely to have an upper hand in the contest.

Form Guide: (Last five completed games most recent first)

Australia:  WLWWL

Pakistan:  LLWWL

Probable XI-

Australia:

Aaron Finch/ Usman Khawaja, David Warner, Steven Smith (C), Glenn Maxwell, Shane Watson, Mitchell Marsh, James Faulkner, Peter Nevill (wk), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.

Pakistan:

Shahid Afridi (C), Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Ahmed Shehzad, Sharjeel Khan, Mohammad Hafeez/Khalid Latif, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Sami, Imad Wasim/Mohammad Nawaz, Umar Akmal, Mohammad Irfan, Mohammad Amir.

Stats:

1. Mohammad Hafeez is the second highest run-scorer for Pakistan T20Is. His 1614 runs are second to Umar Akmal’s 1657 runs.

2. Aaron Finch needs 84 runs to complete 1000 T20I runs.

How is the West Indies v South Africa game expected to play? – WI v SA World T20 Preview: Nagpur pitch once again in limelight for a key clash