Last Updated on 1 month by Charbel Coorey
T20 WC 2021 SF 2: PAK vs AUS Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | PAK vs AUS Dream11 Prediction Today | Pakistan vs Australia Key Players | Dubai Pitch Report
If this Semi Final is anything like yesterday’s classic between England and New Zealand, then we are in for another wild ride. It could happen, as both sides here are capable of producing terrific cricket.
Indeed, that is exactly what Pakistan have achieved so far. They are the only team to boast a 100% record at this tournament so far, courtesy of the kind of consistent, excellent cricket that often eludes a usually inconsistent Pakistan. Most importantly, their middle order, which was an area of concern heading into the tournament, has been outstanding in finishing off Babar Azam’s great work at the top.
So, can Pakistan right the wrongs of the heartbreak of 2010 when Australia produced a heist at the same stage? Michael Hussey’s brilliance against Saeed Ajmal all those years ago is the kind of superb finishing Pakistan are producing now, so the Aussies will have to be on their game right throughout the match.
Australia’s powerplay bowling and the form of Adam Zampa have been key factors in their passage into the Semi Finals. There were plenty of question marks about Aaron Finch’s team heading into the tournament, but they have come together to produce effective cricket when it matters most. But, Pakistan will certainly be a different test than the hapless Bangladesh and West Indies, so good starts with both bat and ball will be key, followed by finishing off the job well.
Key Players to Watch/Key Stats
Pakistan:
- Babar Azam has an excellent record against Australia. The skipper has scored 278 runs in six matches at an average of 69.50 and strike rate of 125.23.
- Babar has struck four half-centuries in five matches in this World Cup (total of 264 runs). He is only five runs behind Jos Buttler in the race to be the tournament’s leading run-scorer. Also, Babar recently crossed 1,000 runs at Dubai at an average of 35.86.
- Mohammad Rizwan in the 2021 World Cup: 5 inns, 214 runs, avg. 71.33, SR 127.38. He scored a brilliant 79* against India on this ground, and will be looking to produce similar here today as he averages just 19.71 in 23 matches at Dubai.
- Shoaib Malik was outstanding in the last match against Scotland, smashing an 18-ball 54*. Against Australia, Malik has scored 262 runs in 15 innings at an average of 32.75 and strike rate of 119.63.
- Asif Ali is yet to be dismissed in the tournament. Not only that, his finishing has been simply outstanding, including four sixes in an over vs Afghanistan on this ground.
- Can Shaheen Shah Afridi get the better of David Warner and Aaron Finch? He has taken just one powerplay wicket since his brilliant performance vs India, so it will be interesting to see what he produces today.
- Afridi has a good haul of eight wickets in just four matches vs Australia at an average of 15.88 and economy rate of 8.47. Also, he has taken 19 wickets in 13 matches at Dubai.
- Haris Rauf is Pakistan’s leading wicket-taker in this T20 World Cup with eight wickets in five matches at an average of 17.00 and economy rate of 6.80.
- Shadab Khan has the most wickets of any current Pakistan player against Australia (nine wickets, avg. 21.67, econ. 7.05). He also has 23 wickets in 20 matches at Dubai at a fine economy rate of 6.35.
Australia:
- David Warner struck an unbeaten 89* vs West Indies to find some form, but this will be a bigger test. Warner has the most runs of any Australia player vs Pakistan with 348 runs at an average of 29.00 and strike rate of 135.94.
- Warner has a solid record at Dubai (620 runs, avg. 38.75, SR 135.37), although he has been inconsistent on this ground in this tournament (65 vs Sri Lanka, 1 vs England, 18 vs Bangladesh).
- Aaron Finch has been dismissed by left-arm pace 10 times in T20 cricket at an overall average of 18.3. So, whether he can overcome Shaheen Shah Afridi early could be key to Australia’s hopes.
- Finch has smashed 326 runs in 12 innings vs Pakistan at an average of 36.22 and strike rate of 140.52.
- Steve Smith has not had a say in Australia’s last couple of matches, but you can count on him to perform in big matches. He was brilliant against Pakistan in their tour of Australia in 2019 (80* off 51 balls).
- Glenn Maxwell has also had a limited role with the bat and has a modest record vs Pakistan: 11 inns, 229 runs, avg. 20.82, SR 144.94. But, he was superb in the recent IPL, with three fifties in as many matches on this ground. In a big game, expect Maxwell to at least get the chance to make a mark.
- Josh Hazlewood has been outstanding in the powerplay in this World Cup. His battle with Pakistan’s excellent openers could be key to the result. He has taken eight wickets in five matches at an average of 13.75 and economy rate of 6.87.
- Adam Zampa is Australia’s leading wicket-taker in this tournament with 11 scalps at an average of 9.90 and economy rate of 5.73. He will be aiming to improve on his record vs Pakistan: six matches, four wickets, avg. 42.75, econ. 7.43.
- Mitchell Starc has the most wickets for any Australia bowler against Pakistan in T20Is: 13 scalps in eight matches at an average of 13.54 and economy rate of 5.83.
Stats and Facts
- Head-to-head: Matches 23, Pakistan 13, Australia 9, N/R 1.
- Except for the match against Namibia, Shaheen Shah Afridi has not conceded more than a run-a-ball in the tournament. His battle with Warner and Finch will be fascinating.
- Australia have won all four ICC tournament matches vs Pakistan: 1987 World Cup Semi Final, 1999 World Cup Semi Final, 2010 T20 World Cup Semi Final and 2015 World Cup Quarter Final.
- Pakistan have won 16 consecutive T20Is in the UAE.
- Fakhar Zaman scored 91 (46) vs Australia in 2018, albeit against a different attack.
Possible Playing 11
Pakistan: 1. Babar Azam (c) 2. Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 3. Fakhar Zaman 4. Mohammad Hafeez, 5. Shoaib Malik, 6. Asif Ali, 7. Shadab Khan, 8. Imad Wasim, 9. Hasan Ali, 10. Haris Rauf, 11. Shaheen Shah Afridi
Australia: 1. David Warner, 2. Aaron Finch (c), 3. Mitchell Marsh, 4. Steve Smith, 5. Glenn Maxwell, 6. Marcus Stoinis, 7. Matthew Wade (wk), 8. Pat Cummins, 9. Mitchell Starc, 10. Adam Zampa, 11. Josh Hazlewood
Dubai Pitch Report and Weather
The Dubai track has had something in it for the seam bowlers early, but runs are on offer for the batsmen. Chasing teams have dominated on this ground, winning 10 off the 11 matches in this World Cup. In fact, the chasing team has won all eight night matches at Dubai in this tournament.
So, with dew expected again, the team batting first needs to put together a score of at least 165-170 to feel competitive.
Dream11 Prediction
Option 1:

Option 2:

Fan2Play Prediction
Base team:
- Wicket-keepers: Mohammad Rizwan
- Batsmen: Babar Azam, David Warner
- All-rounders: Glenn Maxwell
- Bowlers: Shaheen Shah Afridi, Adam Zampa
Match Prediction
Pakistan start as favourites. They look a more complete unit. However, the team batting first needs at least 165-170 to feel competitive as chasing is the way to go at Dubai.