Pakistan, Australia battle for T20 supremacy
abu dhabi — Pakistan will strive to keep the T20 leadership baton when they face Australia in threematch series starting in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.
Pakistan (30 matches, 3,972 points and 132 rating) lead the T20 rankings followed by India (37 matches, 4,601 points and 124 rating and Australia (22 matches, 2,702 points and 123 rating) in the third spot.
Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed on the eve of the match is aware of challenges but remains confident.
“Though Australia don’t have some senior players, but with Chris Lynn coming back into the team, Mitchell Marsh back and Ben McDermott
> Pakistan v Australia
Sheikh Zayed cricket stadium 8.00 pm (UAE TIME)
who is playing really well in the Big Bash, it will be a good contest and we will try to perform well.
“We have to try our level best to get Lynn early. This is a strong Australian squad. But they always have had a strong team. We will try and play at our best. We also have given good performance in last one year.”
When the two sides last met in July, Pakistan beat Australia to clinch the Tri-Nation Series in Zimbabwe but Sarfraz said there is no advantage as the pitch at Harare Sports Club was a bouncy one compared to the slow wicket at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium.
Sarfraz said the addition of teen sensations like Shadab Khan and Shaheen Afridi, bring variation and exuberance in equal measure. Also, the likes of Waqas Maqsood and Imad Wasim were back in the squad after decent show in domestic circle. “I am sure that team will benefit from their rich form.”
All these combined with the names of Mohammad Hafeez, Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman make Pakistan highly competitive.
Further, Shoaib Malik, who is set to become a father, is expected to join the team on Wednesday. “Shoaib will not be available for selection because it will be difficult for him as you are in and out of hospital.”
Sarfraz said switching from Test scene to T20 wasn’t a difficult one. “Cricket has changed so much and become professional that you have to immediately change your mindset. We managed to get three to four days gap after the Test series and we have tried to get into the T20 mode immediately. We have six T20 immediately — three against Australia and the three against New Zealand. We have practiced well and gone into the T20 mode.”
Sarfraz said the Test victory and him scoring runs had eased pressure on him. “Things improve when you start winning but when you are captaining the team there is always some pressure because you have to carry the team. Everything is under control at the moment,” he added.
today’S match