Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey

AUS vs PAK 1st Test Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | AUS vs PAK 1st Test Prediction Today | Australia vs Pakistan 1st Test Dream11

A new Australian men’s summer is about to kick off!

Oh wait, it already has. Remember?

Cricket Australia’s poor focus aside, fans will be treated to Steve Smith, along with David Warner, for the first time in a Test on home soil in nearly two years. Australia’s successful Ashes team has the chance to keep the momentum going, against a Pakistan side that has vowed to play fearless cricket in the quest of a breakthrough series win downunder.

Also read: Keen Blogger/Writer? A 2020 Guide into Writing Cricket Blogs

Key to an Australia win

David Warner averages nearly 60 at home. The average sneaks up to over 60 in Brisbane. After a wretched Ashes campaign, Pakistan are plotting his downfall, seeking an opportunity to target Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith as early as possible.

As good as those two were in the Ashes, Australia can’t afford to always rely on them. Warner and Joe Burns will be key in overcoming the guile and pace of Pakistan’s attack, paving the way for the brilliant Steve Smith in particular to go about his business. Can Australia set a strong platform for their middle order to pounce?

Also, Australia welcomes home their excellent bowling attack. World number one, Pat Cummins, fresh off 29 wickets in an incredible Ashes campaign, has the Pakistani batsmen in his sight. So do Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, who have been in excellent red-ball form of late. Can the Aussie seamers, along with Lyon, dismantle Pakistan’s best players, including Babar Azam, Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq?

Key to a Pakistan win

A few big questions await Pakistan. The first, and very pressing, is whether they can get the better of Steve Smith. Coach Misbah has instructed his team to target his ‘blind spot’, but actions speak louder than words.

Rhythm and consistency is so crucial for Pakistan on a ground where touring teams can go for quick runs. Mohammad Abbas is key to that, with his pace-partners out to provide the fireworks. If Pakistan can get to Australia’s middle order early enough, who knows what may happen.

However, another big question is how Pakistan’s batting lineup will handle the Australian attack. There were a few hiccups from the top order in their recent tour games, relying on Babar Azam and Asad Shafiq to pile on the runs. Such an occurrence here can lead to disaster, so the onus is on the top order to pave the way for Babar in particular to have a big one.

Possible Playing 11

Whether he is the best since Bradman is up for debate, but one thing for sure is that Steve Smith is pivotal to Australia’s Test team. He and Warner return for their first Test on home soil in nearly two years. Also, Joe Burns is set to open, with Head and Wade to take up two spots in the middle order.

Australia: 1. David Warner, 2. Joe Burns, 3. Marnus Labuschagne, 4. Steve Smith, 5. Travis Head, 6. Matthew Wade, 7. Tim Paine (c & wk), 8. Pat Cummins, 9. Mitchell Starc, 10. Nathan Lyon, 11. Josh Hazlewood

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Naseem Shah is set to make his debut. Iftikhar Ahmed could slot in at six, with skipper Azhar Ali to open.

Pakistan: 1. Shan Masood, 2. Azhar Ali (c), 3. Haris Sohail, 4. Babar Azam, 5. Asad Shafiq, 6. Iftikhar Ahmed, 7. Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 8. Yasir Shah, 9. Naseem Shah, 10. Shaheen Shah Afridi, 11. Mohammad Abbas/Imran Khan

Pitch and Conditions

Brisbane was impacted by severe thunderstorms in the past week. But, the forecast for the Test is all clear. In regards to the pitch, expect to see pace and bounce, as often the case at the ‘Gabba. Seamers who pitch the ball up with a hint of movement could have plenty of success.

Stats and Facts

• Australia have not lost a Test at the ‘Gabba since 1988. Pakistan have never won a Test series downunder, and have lost their last 12 Tests in Australia.
• Steve Smith in Brisbane: 5 Tests, 571 runs, average: 71.88. Incredibly, he averages 77.25 in 29 home Tests. Also, he needs 27 to reach 7,000 in Tests. He has six innings to break the record for fastest to the mark.
• Nathan Lyon enjoys Brisbane’s bounce: 8 Tests, 33 wickets, average: 27.70.
• Pat Cummins fares even better: 2 Tests, 14 wickets, average: 12.14.
• Shan Masood and Babar Azam held their own as Pakistan were beaten 3-0 in South Africa in January. They scored a combined 429 runs.

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Option 2:

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Match Prediction

Australia have not lost a Test in Brisbane since 1988.

Much of Pakistan’s lineup wasn’t even born then. While they have plenty of talent, Australia’s experience and familiarity in these conditions should hold them in great stead. Australia to win.

Thanks for reading!

Also read: Keen Blogger/Writer? A 2020 Guide into Writing Cricket Blogs