Australia vs Pakistan, 1st T20I, Sydney: Preview, predictions, likely XIs

The Sri Lanka series was almost a walk in the park for Australia: they lost just 6 wickets en route a 3-0 sweep; David Warner scored 217 runs without being dismissed, at a strike rate of 148; and none of their bowlers conceded even 7 runs an over.

What about Pakistan, then? They are still the top-ranked side in the world (though England is catching up at an alarming rate), but they are just coming off a 0-3 defeat at home, that too against a half-strength Sri Lanka. However, the history of cricket is replete with numerous examples of Pakistan’s unpredictability: what if they do it again?

They have, after all, got the first step right by blowing away a Cricket Australia XI in a tour match. Shadab Khan took 3/30; back to international cricket after three years, 37-year-old Mohammad Irfan returned 4-1-19-1; and Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, and Haris Sohail all looked in good nick. However, the Australian international side is going to be a different proposition altogether.

As for Australia, they merely need to continue what they did throughout the Sri Lanka series. They were excellent on the field, disciplined with the ball, and did not waste a moment before accelerating with bat. Pakistan will have their task cut out.

Head to head

The equation read 7-7 at one point, but Pakistan have won the last 5 matches to extend it to 12-7 in their favour. They had also won the only T20I between the sides on Australian soil, back in 2009-10.

Key players

David Warner (Australia): Not only did the Sri Lankans failed to get Warner out; they could not even figure out how to contain him. Having put the woeful Ashes tour behind him, Warner seems to have regained his form from the IPL and the World Cup; Pakistan will have to work hard on him.

Mohammad Irfan (Pakistan): It is not every day that a fast bowler makes a comeback to 20-over-cricket at 37, but one can see why Misbah-ul-Haq took the decision. His ability to extract bounce from that 7’1″ frame may well be a deciding factor against an otherwise rampant Australian top order.

Likely XIs

Australia: Aaron Finch (c), David Warner, Steven Smith, Ben McDermott, Ashton Turner, Alex Carey (wk), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Kane Richardson, Adam Zampa.

Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Asif Ali, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Irfan, Khushdil Shah, Wahab Riaz.