Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey

Australia’s battle against Pakistan moves to the shorter format after defeated 1-0 in the Tests. The Australians, led by Tim Paine, showed a great level of patience in the first Test but couldn’t see his side progressing in the second, eventually losing it on the fourth day.

In the battle of the biscuit trophy, who will come out on top?

Pakistan have lost just four T20Is out of 27 since the World T20 in 2016, and sit pretty at the top of the rankings. They meet the side whom they beat in the Zimbabwe Tri-Series Final earlier this year, and possess a number of T20-hardened players that makes this series an enticing one. Since the World T20 in 2016, Pakistan have not lost a T20I match in the UAE – can they continue this record against an exciting Australia team?

Australia, much to the relief of fans, are looking at possible changes to the Test batting line up for the India series. In the immediate term, they are more focused on the shorter format and continue to include some of the big names from Big Bash League, which has been central to their good T20I form in 2018. They are empowered by the presence of Aaron Finch who is on top of his game in T20s, as well as Glenn Maxwell, who will be keen to prove his worth after being left out of the Test squad.

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Key to a Pakistan win

In their last T20 clash, A Fakhar-dependent Pakistan team defeated Australia in the Tri-Series Final.

For Pakistan to win here, Fakhar has to continue his good run in T20 format along with the Pakistan top order to enable hard-hitting right throughout the innings. Enabling captain Sarfraz to play long to stabilise the middle order, with Asif Ali strong in the death overs will be the order of the day for Pakistan. With T20I matches at Abu Dhabi typically low-scoring, whether Pakistan’s batting can fire could be central to the result.

On the bowling front, Pakistan has always been on winning ways with a healthy contribution from the bowlers. The young sensation, Shaheen Shah Afridi, is one to look out for and Shadab Khan and Imad Wasim will be looking to cause Australia issues with spin.

Key to an Australia win

Cometh the hour, cometh Aaron Finch. With the Australian T20I skipper in excellent form, he is vital at the top in giving Pakistan a scare. D’Arcy Short also played well in their last encounter with Pakistan, as well as UAE on Monday, and is coming off a double century in the recently concluded JLT Cup Domestic One Day Tournament in Australia. Of course, the likes of Glenn Maxwell, Ben McDermott (if picked) and Chris Lynn represent a dangerous middle order – the key for Australia is forcing Pakistan to realise that they need to score big runs to win this series.

Also, big Billy Stanlake is the key for Australia to put pressure on Pakistan by picking a scalp or two, along with the impressive Nathan Coulter-Nile. Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar have to step up and latter has to redeem the figures he achieved in Tri-Series Final. With spin to play a key role in these conditions, a cohesive bowling effort is vital for Australia

Possible XIs

Dream11

• Sarfraz Ahmed gets in over Alex Carey, with his experience and quality in this format a key selection.

Stats and Facts

• Out of 17 T20s played between these two sides, Pakistan has a lead with 9-7.

• One match was tied, courtesy a long ball from Pat Cummins, but Umar Akmal and Abdul Razzaq won it for Pakistan in super over. 

Prediction

The difficulty in choosing a winner is what makes this series a very exciting one.

I have a feeling Australia will do well in this one, and will win the game off the back of their no fear attitude. Australia to take a 1-0 lead!

A big thank you to @batballsix for his contribution to this Preview. Make sure to give him a follow!

Thanks for reading.