SportPosted at: Nov 10 2021 8:19PM Pak vs Aus T20 WC Preview: Australia take on red-hot Pakistan
Dubai, Nov 10 (UNI) Australia will be looking to David Warner and Adam Zampa to stop red-hot Pakistan from storming into the finals, when they lock horns with the Men In Greens in Thursday's second semifinal of the T20 World Cup here.
The Aussies have laboured their way into the semifinal stage after 2012 with four wins and a better run-rate than South Africa, but are up against maverik Pakistanis who are coming into the match after winning five wins in the Super 12 stage including defeating India for the first time in any ICC event.
Both teams have won three matches each in the T20 World Cup. Australia had trounced Men in Greens by 21 runs in the 2016 edition.
Pressure will be on Australia as the T20 World Cup title has eluded them, despite being one of the most successful ODI teams in the world. They have worn the World Cup crowns five times, including three in a row.
Warner, who came into the tournament with poor scores behind him in the IPL, hit form. He led the attack with 89 not out in Australia's win over West Indies and a quickfire 65 against Sri Lanka, scoring 187 runs in the tournament.
Zampa has bagged 11 wickets in the tournament and is joint second-highest wicket-taker, with a tournament-best return of 5-19 against Bangladesh here.
Pakistan openers Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, who are being coached by former Australia opener Matthew Heyden, will once again look to give a good start. They would look to seek inspiration from their unconquered 152-run stand against India. Babar has smoked four 50s in five innings so far.
Asif Ali also would like to play out his role as the finisher which he did quite magnificently against Afghanistan by smoking four sixes off Karim Janat to get his team the required 25 runs in the 19th over of their Super 12 clash.
Shoaib Malik, who smashed an 18-ball 54 in his side's last pool win over Scotland, and Mohammad Hafeez added spice to Pakistan's batting. And with Shaheen Afridi in threatening form with the new ball, the 2009 champions seem to have their bases covered.
Teams (From)
Australia: Aaron Finch (c), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa.
Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shoaib Malik.
Match starts at 7.30 pm.
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