Australia will barely have time to take a breath between T20I series but with the form they showed against Sri Lanka they may just relish the challenge.
Pakistan were embarrassed by an inexperienced Sri Lanka team at home in their last T20I outing, but they are a team who are dangerous when they are underdogs.
Photo Copyright – Steve Haag Sports
First T20I | Sunday 3 November 2019| Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney | 05:30
To Win Australia 34/100
Tie 35/1
Pakistan 24/10
Australia
David Warner is in imposing form and will be a key man for the hosts, who have been able to express themselves off the back of the opener’s belligerent starts.
Adam Zampa has been brilliant with the ball so far this season, but Pakistan’s batsmen should provide a more significant challenge.
Ben McDermott should get another opportunity to stake a claim on the number four position in the absence of Glenn Maxwell who has taken an indefinite break from cricket.
Sean Abbott’s excellent domestic form has given him another shot at international cricket but he might have to wait for his chance to take the field with Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins bowling very well.
Pakistan
Babar Azam has been thrust into the captaincy and will have to prove he can bear the responsibility and continue to deliver runs.
Pakistan should take heart from the problems Lahiru Kumara’s pace caused Warner and Aaron Finch in the final match of Australia’s series against Sri Lanka.
Lanky veteran seamer Mohammad Irfan has been handed a career lifeline with a first call up since he returned to cricket after a ban for failure to report a corrupt approach.
Pakistan have the quality with the ball but need to produce better results with the bat to compete with Australia.
The tourists have won the last five T20Is they have played against Australia but have played just one match in the format in Australia, going down by two runs in Melbourne in 2010.
Verdict: Australia 34/100
Pakistan don’t scream stability while Australia are maintaining continuity in the format and will be tough to beat.
Written by James Richardson for Hollywoodbets.
