Australia vs Pakistan: Australia and Pakistan are set to kick off their three-match T20I series at Brisbane’s iconic Gabba on November 14, 2024.

Date & Venue: 1st T20I, November 14, 2024, at The Gabba, Brisbane
Time: 1:30 PM (IST)

Australia vs Pakistan Head-to-Head

Pakistan wins: 13

Australia wins: 11

NR: 1

Pitch Report

The Gabba in Brisbane is traditionally a fast-bowling paradise, with bounce and pace that challenges batters. Seamers can extract good movement and trouble batters early in the innings. However, if batters can weather the initial pace, the surface offers a high run-scoring potential, with an average T20 score of 166. Spinners generally have a limited role here, but bowlers who vary their pace and accuracy can still be effective.

Weather conditions indicate possible thundery showers, which could impact the game, especially in the early stages. Teams winning the toss might opt to bowl first due to the rain threat.

Team News

Australia

Australia will rely on a mix of experienced campaigners and fresh talent, including pacer Nathan Ellis and powerful hitter Tim David. Josh Inglis is expected to lead the batting charge, supported by Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, and Aaron Hardie. In the bowling department, Adam Zampa and Spencer Johnson are set to take on key roles, with Ellis and Sean Abbott offering solid pace options.

Probable XI:
Matthew Short, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Josh Inglis (c & wk), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Aaron Hardie, Tim David, Sean Abbott, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson, Nathan Ellis.

Pakistan

Pakistan, led by Mohammad Rizwan, is in strong form and aims to carry forward their momentum. Babar Azam is the batting backbone, with support from Usman Khan, Agha Salman, and Arafat Minhas. Pakistan’s bowling lineup, featuring Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf, provides plenty of firepower and could prove challenging for the Australian batsmen.

Probable XI:
Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk), Usman Khan, Babar Azam, Agha Salman, Arafat Minhas, Irfan Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abbas Afridi.

Last 5 Meetings

1. April 5, 2022 – Australia won by 3 wickets
2. November 11, 2021 – Australia won by 5 wickets
3. November 8, 2019 – Australia won by 10 wickets
4. November 5, 2019 – Australia won by 7 wickets
5. November 3, 2019 – No result

Australia has won four of the last five encounters, showcasing a strong record against Pakistan.

Key Players

• Australia:
  • Josh Inglis: Scoring at a stellar average of 69.67 in recent T20 matches, Inglis is crucial to Australia’s batting.
  • Adam Zampa: With 15 wickets in his last 10 T20 matches, Zampa’s leg-spin could be valuable despite the Gabba’s fast pace.
  • Glenn Maxwell: Known for his explosive batting, Maxwell’s all-round capabilities make him a game-changer.
• Pakistan:
  • Babar Azam: Pakistan’s top scorer in T20s this year with a 43.44 average, Babar’s consistency is key for Pakistan.
  • Haris Rauf: With 12 wickets in his last six matches, Rauf’s pace and accuracy make him a major threat.
  • Shaheen Afridi: His ability to swing the ball early and at high pace will be critical on the Gabba surface.

SWOT Analysis: Australia vs. Pakistan – T20I Series

Australia

Strengths:

1. Experienced Core: Australia boasts a wealth of experience in T20 cricket, with players like Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, and Tim David. Their ability to perform under pressure in the shortest format is well established.
2. Quality Spin Attack: Adam Zampa’s leg-spin has been highly effective in T20 cricket, and his variations will be valuable in the fast-paced conditions at the Gabba, where spinners can still play a role.
3. Depth in Pace Bowling: The return of Nathan Ellis, Xavier Bartlett, and Spencer Johnson adds significant pace depth to Australia’s bowling attack, offering different styles to challenge Pakistan’s batters.
4. Flexibility in Batting Line-Up: With the likes of Matthew Short, Josh Inglis, and Tim David, Australia has flexibility to rearrange their batting order depending on the situation. This adaptability can work to their advantage in the fast-paced format of T20 cricket.

Weaknesses:

1. Unsettled Top-Order: The absence of Travis Head and the lack of a fixed opening partnership (with Fraser-McGurk and Short both vying for the role) leaves a degree of uncertainty in Australia’s top-order. This could be tested against Pakistan’s dangerous fast bowlers.
2. Inconsistent Finishing: While Tim David has the potential to be a game-changer, his inconsistency in finishing roles in recent times could be a concern for Australia, especially in high-pressure situations during the final overs.
3. Leadership Rotation: With Josh Inglis set to captain in the absence of regular leaders like Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head, the constant leadership changes may disrupt team cohesion, especially in a high-stakes series.

Opportunities:

1. Building Towards 2026 T20 World Cup: With many of their key players available for this series, Australia has an opportunity to test new combinations and solidify their squad for future tournaments, especially focusing on young talents like Fraser-McGurk and Bartlett.
2. Maxwell’s All-Round Contribution: Glenn Maxwell’s ability to contribute both with the bat and ball makes him an invaluable asset. Australia can maximize his role to manipulate the middle overs and turn the game in their favor.
3. Learning from ODI Loss: The defeat to Pakistan in the ODI series provides an opportunity for Australia to bounce back with tactical adjustments in the T20 format, where the dynamics are different.

Threats:

1. Pakistan’s Pace Attack: The sharp pace and swing of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf can pose a significant challenge for Australia’s top-order, especially given the bouncy conditions at the Gabba.
2. Injury Concerns: The ongoing injury management of key players like Ellis, Bartlett, and Johnson could limit Australia’s bowling options and affect the consistency of their performance.
3. Pressure of Expectations: With the pressure of World Cup preparations and an underwhelming ODI performance, there could be external pressure on Australia to perform well, which may affect their mental approach.

Pakistan

Strengths:

1. Strong Pace Attack: Pakistan’s pace battery, featuring Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf, is one of the most formidable in T20 cricket. Their ability to generate bounce and swing will be crucial at the Gabba.
2. Top-Order Stability: Babar Azam remains a highly dependable and consistent performer for Pakistan. Along with Mohammad Rizwan, he provides stability at the top, ensuring a solid foundation for the innings.
3. Good Recent Form: Pakistan is coming off a solid ODI series win against Australia, with their fast bowlers shining. This confidence can carry over into the T20 series.
4. Improved Leadership: The leadership under Mohammad Rizwan after Babar Azam’s departure as captain provides fresh perspectives, and Rizwan’s calm and tactical approach can prove vital in managing the game’s flow.

Weaknesses:

1. Inconsistent Middle-Order: The middle-order has been a weak link for Pakistan, with players like Agha Salman and Usman Khan often failing to step up consistently. If the top-order falters, the middle-order could struggle.
2. Lack of Depth in Spin: Pakistan’s spin options are relatively limited. In a high-paced game like T20, they may struggle to control the middle overs if Australia’s batters attack them.
3. Pressure After World Cup Exit: The aftermath of Pakistan’s poor T20 World Cup performance looms large. There is a burden of expectation to improve their T20 game, which could affect their focus and mindset.

Opportunities:

1. Inconsistent Australian Top-Order: Pakistan’s pacers have a significant chance to exploit Australia’s uncertain top-order, especially with key players missing from the Aussie lineup.
2. Building for 2026 T20 World Cup: Pakistan has an opportunity to refine their team strategy and try new combinations, ensuring they are better prepared for the upcoming T20 World Cups.
3. Capitalizing on Australia’s Leadership Changes: With Australia rotating captains and potentially lacking a consistent leadership style, Pakistan can seize the opportunity to dominate the series and take advantage of any disarray within the Australian team.

Threats:

1. Australia’s Firepower: Players like Glenn Maxwell and Tim David have the ability to change the game in an instant with their aggressive batting. If they get going, Pakistan’s bowlers could struggle to control the game.
2. Reliance on Top-Order: Much like Australia, Pakistan’s top-order (especially Babar Azam and Rizwan) carries the weight of the batting. Any failure to perform could drastically impact Pakistan’s total, leaving too much for the middle-order to do.
3. Weather Interruptions: The possible threat of rain and thunderstorms could disrupt the flow of the series, making it harder for Pakistan to maintain consistent momentum and adjust to changing conditions.

Australia vs Pakistan Prediction

Given the current form and the fast-bowling edge Pakistan brings, they are slight favorites to secure a win in the opening T20I and lead the series. Their pace attack, led by Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf, could be decisive, especially if early conditions favor bowlers.

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