The first T20I clash between Australia and Pakistan is set to kick off on November 14th, and the anticipation is palpable as Josh Inglis and Mohammad Rizwan will be stepping into their new roles as captains for their respective teams.
Despite the buildup surrounding the Border Gavaskar Trophy, the significance of this white-ball series has somewhat waned, with Cricket Australia not promoting the fixtures to their full potential. Following a disappointing 2-1 defeat in the ODI series, Australia is eager to set the record straight as they host Pakistan in a three-match T20I series. The teams will battle it out at the Gabba, Brisbane, followed by matches in Sydney (November 16th) and Hobart (November 18th).
Match Details:
- Fixture: Australia vs Pakistan, 1st T20I
- Venue: Gabba, Brisbane
- Date & Time: November 14th at 1:30 PM IST / 6:30 PM Local Time
- Live Streaming: Star Sports Network and Disney+ Hotstar
Pitch Report for AUS vs PAK, 1st T20I:
The Gabba has not hosted a T20I in two years, and while the wicket appears to favor pace, it has historically shown that spinners tend to have better economy rates here. Batsmen will need to exert considerable effort to smash boundaries, with an average first-innings score of 166. Teams batting first boast a solid 70 percent win record at this ground.
Recent Form:
- Australia: NR, L, W, W, W
- Pakistan: W, W, L, T, L
Predicted Winners:
Australia is favored to clinch victory in this matchup.
Expected Playing XIs for AUS vs PAK, 1st T20I:
Australia: Jake Fraser McGurk, Matthew Short, Josh Inglis (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Aaron Hardie, Sean Abbott, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Xavier Bartlett / Spencer Johnson.
Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk), Usman Khan, Babar Azam, Agha Salman, Haseebullah, Sahibzada Farhan, Irfan Khan, Sufyan Muqeem / Arafat Minhas, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf.
Injury Updates:
All players from both squads are reportedly fit, with no current injuries reported.
Fantasy Cricket Top Picks for AUS vs PAK, 1st T20I:
- Top Batter: Jake Fraser McGurk recently made a mark with a half-century in his last T20I and is looking to solidify his position in the team.
- Top All-Rounder: Marcus Stoinis has showcased his talent with 234 runs and 21 wickets from 11 T20Is this year, aiming to make a pivotal contribution.
- Top Bowler: Adam Zampa has been a standout performer for Australia in T20Is, gathering 83 wickets in 65 innings with a remarkable economy.
- Top Wicketkeeper: Mohammad Rizwan has consistently excelled with the bat, boasting impressive stats in T20Is.
- X-Factor: Haris Rauf is anticipated to be a potent threat with his speed, having claimed 10 wickets in the ODI series.
Suggested Fantasy Teams for AUS vs PAK, 1st T20I:
- Mohammad Rizwan (vc), Josh Inglis, Babar Azam, Matthew Short, Jake Fraser McGurk, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis (c), Agha Salman, Adam Zampa, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf.
- Mohammad Rizwan, Usman Khan, Matthew Short, Tim David, Sahibzada Farhan, Jake Fraser McGurk (c), Marcus Stoinis, Agha Salman, Sean Abbott, Adam Zampa (vc), Shaheen Afridi.
Pre-Match Analysis:
With the fast bowling trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood preparing for the eagerly awaited Border Gavaskar Trophy, Australia has opted for a younger squad under the leadership of Josh Inglis. The seasoned players Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh were rested for this series. Xavier Bartlett and Spencer Johnson remain after featuring in the ODI, while Cooper Connolly has been ruled out due to a fracture. Josh Philippe takes his place as a replacement.
Confidence is high in the Pakistan camp after claiming a historic ODI series victory in Australia—a feat not achieved in 22 years. Fresh faces enrich the team, indicating a strategic focus on future development. The squad includes retained players like Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi, alongside newcomers like Arafat Minhas and Haseebullah Khan. Pakistan aims to change their fortunes as they seek their first T20I win on Australian soil.
