Australia vs Pakistan Match Preview, 2nd T20I

Australia vs Pakistan Match Preview, 2nd T20I.(source – x)

Australia and Pakistan are all set to continue their ongoing three-game T20I series. Both sides will lock horns in the second encounter of the series at the historic Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in Sydney on Saturday, November 16. It is worth noting that the Men in Green recently defeated Australia in the ODI series and hoped to carry that momentum in the shortest format. 

However, the first fixture at the Gabba did not go as per plan for Mohammad Rizwan & Co. The first clash proved to be a rain-marred affair. After the start of the game was delayed by three hours, the game was shortened to seven overs a side. 

The game saw the hosts come in to bat first after Pakistan opted to bowl first. Thanks to Glenn Maxwell’s quick-fire knock of 43 runs in 19 deliveries, the Aussies posted a total of 93 runs in the first innings. 

As for Pakistan, as the side came out to chase down the target, the side’s top order collapsed. Sahibzada Farhan departed for eight runs, with Mohammad Rizwan departing for a duck. Babar Azam and Usman Khan scored three and four runs, respectively, with Salman Agha adding four runs on the board as well. Pakistan only managed to score 64 runs in the second innings, as the Australians won the game by 29 runs.

Match Details:

Pitch Report:

The surface at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) is one that is generally preferred by the batters. A high-scoring encounter could be quite the possibility on such a pitch, and opting to bat first and posting a big total on the board could prove to be a wise decision.

Head-To-Head Record:

AUS vs PAK Playing XIs

Australia

Australia will be expected to field a similar lineup to that of the first T20I. With the likes of Matt Short and Fraser-McGurk opening the innings, the Aussies will hope to seek redemption after their ODI series loss and clinch the T20I series by winning the second T20I.

Predicted XI – Matt Short, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Josh Inglis (wk/c), Glenn Maxwell, Aaron Hardie, Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Sean Abbott, Spencer Johnson, Adam Zampa, Nathan Ellis

Pakistan

On the other hand, Pakistan could look to promote Babar Azam in the top order once more, and have him open with skipper Rizwan. Furthermore, the likes of Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and their bowling unit will be keen on making a difference.

Playing XI – Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk), Haseebullah Khan, Usman Khan, Omair Yousuf, Sufyan Moqim, Abbas Afridi, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf