Pakistan vs Australia – 1st T20 – Match Preview
Following some hard-fought battles in the 50-over version, Pakistan and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 take their rivalry to the shorter version in a bid to seek fluency ahead of the World T20, locking horns in the first of three T20Is , played today, September 5, 2012, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Measuring their respective progress in this arena on the back of their current rankings could be a misleading research, where the green army occupies the sixth spot, while their opponents are ranked a lowly 9th.
However, given the meteoric rise of the T20 version, the so-called Test specialists - Aussies- are compelled to give the format its due place in world cricket. The current series offers them the chance to showcase their true progress under the leadership of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/George-Bailey-c1480 after nominating him as the skipper at the start of year
While Bailey’s captaincy credentials are very much valued, the upcoming assignments, including the team’s World T20 campaign, will truly define his legacy. A lot will change from the 50-over side and one expects a confident Aussie unit to take the field.
Changes will be made from top to bottom – the return of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/DA-Warner-c1301.
The middle-order looks stable – occupied by Bailey, the Hussey brothers and the returning Cameron White. With Glen Maxwell and Daniel Christian also in the side, the team has exceptional depth to cope with the Men in Green pace batteries.
Also the return of some experienced personnel in the bowling department will add potency. Ben Hilfenhaus and Brad Hogg have become inseparable components in recent times, while the return of teenage pacer http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Iftikhar-Ali-Khan-Pataudi-Nawab-of-c64075 Cummins will be a major boost on slow pitches. Mitchell Starc’s confident showing in the 50-over series will give the team a perfect blend in terms of matching their opponents daunting bowling line-up.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Neil-Killeen-c79132 instinct in the third ODI which ultimately still left them searching for the elusive series win against the Down Under giants. There were certain positives – the return of form for Mohammad Hafeez - from that game but the usual erratic moments eventually cost them dearly.
However, a change in format might bring a change in luck as the team welcome back some of its renowned T20 campaigners. For starters, Umar Gul and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Abdul-Razzaq-c41623’s induction will provide balance to the side after the pacers failed to stem the flow of runs in the previous matches.
A shuffle to the batting line-up remain on the cards with Imran Nazir all set to partner Hafeez upfront. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shoaib-Malik-c90088, the Akmal brothers will fill up the middle-order slots and one expects that them to offer a little more in terms of consistency.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shahid-Afridi-c2482 will be itching to give his best after below-par showings recently, while Saeed Ajmal will be relied upon for some customary spin magic. Picking up the final XI could be a hard task for the management.
The pitch at Dubai is expected to offer a bit more pace but dew could again be an important factor. The shorter duration will help players avoid total exhaustion.
Possible Playing XI: http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mohammad-Sami-c77289
Possible Australian Playing XI: Shane Watson, David Warner, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mitchell-Aaron-Starc-c76392
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