Following Pakistan’s 2-1 win in the ODI series, many criticized Australia for resting their key players for the series decider in Perth. However, reducing Pakistan’s dominance over Australia only to the hosts’ choice of not fielding their better players is criminally downplaying the way Mohammad Rizwan-led men have played so far. Even with an almost full-strength in the series opener, the Aussies barely managed to escape defeat. This is a far cry from a usual sight. Pakistan have always found playing against Australia and playing in Australia to be of their biggest banes. But somehow, this time, they were able to battle these fears down to achieve feats they had long stopped dreaming about.
As the T20I series begins, the urgency involved is less stringent. It’s a rare scene but right now T20 format is more irrelevant than the other two. Nevertheless, most teams including Pakistan and Australia, have a lot of building to do to their shortest format sides while they wait for a T20 mega-event to come close.
Team Overview:
It’s a team sport, yes. But Pakistan’s hyped-up pace attack seems to have forgotten that. The four-man attack operated on a different plane altogether than the rest while playing during all three games. They forced Australia’s attack with Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood in the shadows. Pakistan would hope to see them bring the same aura to the T20s as well. The last time Pakistan played a T20 here was in the T20 World Cup 2022 final and what’s better than seeing the redemption arc right where things started going for the worst? Mohammad Rizwan has been a fabulous captain but more fabled have been his skills behind the timbers. He took a record number of catches with his gloves, helping his bowlers plummet their intimidation up several notches. But whether he will open during the T20 series remains a question unanswered. Rizwan and Babar Azam opened for Pakistan during the T20 World Cup, that’s when the team played the format most recently. However, the criticism both have received for their somewhat slow batting style could mean they do not carry the same role together.
Australia have something of their own opening problem. Matt Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk took the ODI series as an opportunity to audition for the role and they will try to make a case for themselves in the T20s as well. Although the pair could not do a decent job in the 50-over games, they were not as bad in the T20s against England a few months ago. The absence of Travis Head means that the order will move up a place with the skipper Josh Inglis likely to come in at No. 3. Australia will be with a younger, less-experienced bowling attack with Nathan Ellis, Spencer Johnson, and Xavier Bartlett coming back to join Sean Abbott. With Adam Zampa being their most capped bowler in the squad, the hosts will not sit him out to follow the four-headed pace attack strategy like Pakistan.
Head-to-Head Matches:
T20 is Pakistan’s favourite format and so do the numbers show. Pakistan and Australia have played 25 shortest-format games against each other, with the men in green getting over the line in 12 games and the Aussies taking the cake in eleven. Two games ended without any result.
Weather and Pitch Report:
Brisbane will get the stage set for the encounter with pleasant weather waiting for both teams. It will be slightly warm and humid during the start of the game and a small rain forecast for the later stages of the game might drop the temperature a little. The pitch at the Gabba favors batters due to its true bounce and quicker outfield. Expect a high-scoring affair but that does not mean the bowlers should expect a drubbing. There is plenty in the surface for them too, and could get extra swing from the humid air as well.
Where to Watch:
Pakistan: Tamasha App, Tapmad A sports
Australia: Foxtel, Kayo Sports
India: Star Sports 1, Hotstar app
UK: Sky Sports
New Zealand: Sky Sports NZ
USA: Willow TV
