AUS vs PAK: 2nd T20I, Preview- Australia desperate to cease losing streak after England disaster

Aussies have lost eight international matches on the trot.

Published - 01 Jul 2018, 22:56 IST | Updated - 01 Jul 2018, 22:56 IST

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Pakistan and Australia are the first and second ranked T20I teams respectively. However, there’s a stark difference between their mental state as far as their performance on the cricket pitch is concerned. Following the ball-tampering scandal in March, the Aussies have lost eight international matches on the trot. Their last tour of England was a catastrophe.

Albeit their batting stood tall in patches, their bowlers faltered to a large extent. The Men in Green, in their current form, won’t be a cakewalk to surmount by any means. Aaron Finch and his men need some inspiration to pull themselves from the rabbit hole. The Yellow Army has the repertoire and they boast of some of the most explosive batsmen, who can make a mockery of the best bowling lineups.

Sarfraz Ahmed and his men, following their victory versus Zimbabwe are brimming with confidence and the team will be itching to carry on with their winning streak. Their batsmen were clinical and the bowlers followed it up by getting a stranglehold on the opponents. The next match tomorrow at the Harare Sports Club has all the ingredients to be entertaining.

Team Combination

Pakistan

Sarfraz’s men are expected to go unchanged in the match. The likes of Fakhar Zaman and Asif Ali were stupendous in the first match and Finch’s team will be wary of their batters. Sarfraz also led his team with authority. Most importantly, their bowlers put forth a combined effort. Mohammad Nawaz, Usman Khan, and Hasan Ali were outstanding and they would want to replicate their form.

Predicted XI

Mohammad Hafeez, Fakhar Zaman, Hussain Talat, Sarfraz Ahmed (C & wk), Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Hasan Ali, Usman Khan

Australia

Despite their loss in the previous match versus England, they won’t be making any change. Aaron Finch’s task will be to boost the morale of the players. Glenn Maxwell and Travis Head’s role will be vital if the Aussies are looking to give Pakistan a run for their money. The fast-bowlers in the Richardson-duo, Billy Stanlake, and Andrew Tye have to step up. Ashton Agar is the lone spinner.

Predicted XI

Aaron Finch (C), D’Arcy Short, Travis Head, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey (wk), Ashton Agar, Jhye Richardson, Andrew Tye, Billy Stanlake, Kane Richardson

Players to watch out for

Hasan Ali- Pakistan

Hasan has been one of Pakistan’s gun bowlers in the T20 format. In the first match, he was a tad expensive but picked up a couple crucial wickets in Hamilton Masakadza and Elton Chigumbura, who are two of Zimbabwe’s most experienced cricketers. His variations in pace are expected to create trouble for the Aussies.

Glenn Maxwell – Australia

Maxwell started the England tour with a half-century, but couldn’t make any significant contribution thereafter with the willow. The Australian cricketing fraternity has been concerned with the middle-order batsman and he needs to hit his straps in the next match. There’s no doubt surrounding his potentiality and Sarfraz and Co. won’t undermine him.

Head to Head

Played – 14 | Pakistan – 7, Australia – 6, Tie/NR – 1 (Pak)

Stat Attack

8– Pakistan now have won eight consecutive T20I matches. Afghanistan (11 T20Is in 2016-2017) is the only team to win more than 8 T20I matches in a succession.