Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey
AUS vs PAK 3rd T20I Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report. AUS vs PAK T20 Match Today. Australia vs Pakistan 3rd T20I Preview Dream11
It wasn’t David Warner. Nor was it Aaron Finch.
Australia’s two dangerous openers, along with the rest of us, watched a Steve Smith masterclass en route to a deserved 1-0 lead for the Aussies. After the bowlers were largely in control against a Pakistan side still relying a bit too much on Babar Azam, Smith sent a reminder of how capable he is in white-ball cricket.
As the series concludes in Perth (unfortunately, the match will begin during work hours), will it be Australia who extend their winning form or Pakistan breaking their losing run?
Also read: Rant: Poor crowds, crap ratings. Is Cricket Australia happy sitting on its $1.2 billion bed?
Key to an Australia win
Such has been Australia’s dominance that this series feels won. The Sydney rain didn’t allow that, but this is an opportunity for Australia to exert their dominance with a series victory on the line.
Australia’s bowlers will have the spotlight on them. The bouncy pitch of Perth’s Optus Stadium provides an advantage to the Aussies, given Pakistan have enjoyed plenty of T20I success on lower, slower surfaces. Even with Pat Cummins rested, Mitchell Starc and co will be difficult to deal with.
Also, can David Warner finish the T20Is with a bang? His dismissal in Canberra was his first in 239 runs and five innings this season, and he will be keen to make a big impact in the Pakistan series. So too Aaron Finch, who has threatened only to be stopped by rain in Sydney and a poor shot in Canberra. With Steve Smith in fine touch, too, a strong start reduces the pressure on Australia’s largely untested middle order.
Key to a Pakistan win
For the large majority of their innings in Canberra, it was Australia vs Babar Azam. Also the case in Sydney, Babar carried a batting lineup struggling for fluency and impact. This was until Iftikhar Ahmed played a blinder to get Pakistan to 150 in Canberra, but the tourists need more as a unit.
Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed scored a combined 112 off 72 balls in Canberra. The rest? 37 off 48 balls. The form of Fakhar Zaman is a huge worry, and such a disparity will lead to another loss for Pakistan.
Also, can Pakistan target Australia’s untested middle order? Both Ben McDermott and Ashton Turner struck at under 100 in the last game, meaning the Pakistanis have an opportunity to target them early. However, it is easier said than done, with the tough task of removing at least two of Australia’s in-form top three early. Will it be Mohammad Amir’s day? Can Mohammad Irfan use his height to his advantage on a bouncy pitch?
Also read: 10 cricket records that will be mighty difficult to beat
Possible Playing 11
Pat Cummins has been rested for Australia. Sean Abbott or Billy Stanlake (or both if Australia leave Kane Richardson out) will come in.
Australia: 1. David Warner, 2. Aaron Finch (c), 3. Steve Smith, 4. Ben McDermott, 5. Ashton Turner, 6. Alex Carey (wk), 7. Ashton Agar, 8. Sean Abbott, 9. Mitchell Starc, 10. Adam Zampa, 11. Kane Richardson
Do Pakistan drop Fakhar Zaman? Imam-ul-Haq is waiting in the wings if they choose to do so.
Pakistan: 1. Babar Azam (c), 2. Fakhar Zaman/Imam-ul-Haq, 3. Haris Sohail, 4. Iftikhar Ahmed, 5. Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 6. Asif Ali, 7. Imad Wasim, 8. Wahab Riaz 9. Shadab Khan, 10. Mohammad Amir, 11. Mohammad Irfan/Mohammad Musa
Pitch and Conditions
A hot day is forecast for Perth. Players and spectators will feel it as the match will begin at 4:30pm local time. In regards to the pitch, it is expected to be pacy and bouncy, which will require some adjusting to for both teams.
Also read: Rant: Poor crowds, crap ratings. Is Cricket Australia happy sitting on its $1.2 billion bed?
Stats and Facts
- Australia have won their last six completed T20Is. Pakistan, on the other hand, have lost their past five.
- Babar Azam in T20Is vs Australia: 5 matches, 272 runs, average: 90.66, SR: 126.51.
- David Warner, Aaron Finch and Steve Smith have scored a combined 540 runs in the T20Is vs Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
Dream11 Prediction
Also read: MyTeam11 vs Dream11: Which is better for you?
Option 1:
Option 2:
Match Prediction
Anything can happen in T20 cricket. Pakistan will need this to come true given their form is opposite to Australia’s over the past month.
Australia, at home, should be too good once again.
Thanks for reading!
Also read: Rant: Poor crowds, crap ratings. Is Cricket Australia happy sitting on its $1.2 billion bed?
