Australia vs Pakistan, Final, Preview: Finch-led Aussies hope to start a new era with tri-series title

Both the teams have beaten each other once so far in this series.

Published - 07 Jul 2018, 19:11 IST | Updated - 07 Jul 2018, 19:11 IST

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Australia were almost beaten by Zimbabwe in the last league game of the tri-series which has been heavily one-sided. The hosts have been knocked out expectedly without winning any match and the remaining two teams, Australia and Pakistan, were always going to meet in the final. Both the sides have beaten, rather thumped each other once so far in this series and would be eager to take the honours in the title clash on a super Sunday.

After being openly criticised by their skipper Sarfraz Ahmed over the performance against Zimbabwe, the world number 1 side registered a convincing 45-run victory over the Aussies. They also consolidated their number 1 position in the ICC T20I rankings and the result of the final won’t make any difference to the rankings. But they were tipped to win the series when it began with the way they have been playing in the shortest format.

Australia, on the other hand, will be happy with the fact that the other batsmen have got enough time in the middle ahead of the crunch game. The likes of Glenn Maxwell and Travis Head were brilliant the other day. If Aaron Finch gets going at the top of the order, the trophy is surely theirs. They will be aware of the bowling abilities of Pakistan now and should come out with better plans this time around.

Team Combination

Australia

Australia handed a debut to Jack Wildermuth by dropping D’Arcy Short and it worked well for them in the previous game. They should continue with the same playing XI with Alex Carey and Finch opening the innings followed by Head and Maxwell. The all-rounders Marcus Stoinis and Ashton Agar have done no harm to their reputation so far but the latter has to concentrate more on his bowling.

Nic Maddinson has failed to latch on to a few opportunities in this series and this might be his last chance to redeem his career. The bowling attack led by Billy Stanlake has done well but they should not lose their shape in case the opposition attacks them which has happened several times in the recent past.

Probable XI: Aaron Finch (c), Alex Carey (wk), Travis Head, Glenn Maxwell, Nic Maddinson, Marcus Stoinis, Ashton Agar, Jack Wildermuth, Andrew Tye, Billy Stanlake, Jhye Richardson

Pakistan

There is no reason for the Sarfraz Ahmed to tinker the winning combination. They have been so clinical in this series but have struggled with the opening combination. Sarfraz has already cleared that Haris Sohail will be replaced by the debutant Sahibzada Farhan for the final. The form of the other opener of Fakhar Zaman has been exceptional and they would be hoping that he continues in the same vein. The bowling is always strong and Shaheen Afridi should continue playing after a brilliant performance in the last encounter.

Probable XI: Fakhar Zaman, Sahibzada Farhan, Hussain Talat, Sarfraz Ahmed (c & wk), Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan, Mohammed Amir, Usman Khan/Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi

Focus will be on

Alex Carey (Australia)

Alex Carey has shown glimpses of brilliance on this tour so far. With all the focus on his opening partner Finch, the left-handed batsman can catch the opposition with surprise. His exploits at the top of the order will lift the Aussies who have explosive batsmen to come later as well. Also, a quickfire knock can also help him seal his place in the side albeit in the shortest format of the game.

Shoaib Malik (Pakistan)

The veteran has just seamlessly fit in this young looking side. His fitness has been exceptional and has played the role of a finisher perfectly. He also has other gear to his batting and can resurrect the innings if the top order collapses. His experience will be needed in the final and he can roll his arm over for a couple of overs given that there is a chance of pitch being on the slower side.