Deadline: November 3, 2019 at 9 AM IST
Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
Pitch report
Compared to other Australian pitches, the one at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) is kind to the batsmen. The bounce here is comparatively less threatening, giving more time to the batsmen to adjust their foot work. However, spinners too have a good time once the cracks open.
The average first and second innings scores read 164 and 149 respectively. Expect runs to come thick and fast.
Teams
Probable XI for Australia: Aaron Finch (c), David Warner, Steven Smith, Ben McDermott, Ashton Turner, Alex Carey, Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Kane Richardson, Adam Zampa
Probable XI for Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam (c), Haris Sohail, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Imad Wasim, Asif Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Wahab Riaz, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Irfan
NOTE: Pick your fantasy cricket team wisely.
Fantasy team
We have opted for a fantasy team on the basis of players’ impact, recent performances, and credit points.
You can also check players’ performances in the last 5 matches. Tap on the players’ images to get the data while making your fantasy team.
Note: You can now select 1-4 wicketkeepers, 1-6 batsmen, 1-6 all-rounders, 1-6 bowlers.
Wicketkeepers: Mohammad Rizwan
Batsmen: Aaron Finch, Ashton Turner, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam (vc), David Warner (c), Steven Smith
All-rounders: Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim
Bowlers: Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc
Top picks
David Warner’s batsmanship has been an absolute delight to watch of late. His scores against Sri Lanka read 100*, 60*, 57*. He remained unbeaten and all of it came at a staggering strike rate of 143.7. Pakistan will have to bowl out of their skin to keep a leash on him, let alone dismissing him.
Babar Azam is the No. 1 player in ICC T20I Rankings for batsmen. He has extraordinary numbers against Australia, having smashed 163 runs at 81.5 in three matches.
Pat Cummins and Adam Zampa were impressive in the series against Sri Lanka, managing to take wickets at crucial phases of the game. While Cummins topped the bowling chart with 6 wickets, Zampa scalped a wicket fewer.
Pakistan have two players – Imad Wasim and Shadab Khan – in the list of top 10 all-rounders. Not only do they provide variations in spin-bowling but also have a knack for using the long handle to good effect.
Match prediction
Australia’s T20I record against Pakistan is disappointing, losing 7 of 20 matches. To make matters worse, they haven’t tasted victory against Pakistan in the previous 5 encounters.
Australia will be brimming with confidence after the 3-0 win over Sri Lanka, but Pakistan aren’t the ninth-ranked team in ICC T20I Rankings. They are placed at the top, and are 12 ratings ahead of the second-ranked team. To cut it short, it will be an evenly fought contest, with tables turning frequently.
Squads
Australia: Aaron Finch (c), Steven Smith, David Warner, Glenn Maxwell, Ashton Turner, Alex Carey (wk), Ben McDermott (wk), Pat Cummins, Kane Richardson, Billy Stanlake, Mitchell Starc, Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa
Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Asif Ali, Khushdil Shah, Haris Sohail, Iftikhar Ahmed, Usman Qadir, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Hasnain, Wahab Riaz, Muhammad Musa, Mohammad Irfan
Also, get to know the tips & tricks on how to play fantasy cricket