Third T20I Preview: Pakistan vs. Australia

Third T20I Preview: Pakistan vs. Australia

Pakistan and Australia are set to lock horns in the third T20I in the three-match series in Dubai on Sunday. The Men in Green have already sealed the series after winning the first two games by a comfortable margin. In the series opener, the Sarfraz Ahmed-led unit registered a comfortable 66-run win in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, whereas in the second game, the Green Caps got the better of their opponents by 11 runs in Dubai.

On Sunday, the home side are expected to make few changes and young opener Sahibzada Farhan might replace Fakhar Zaman at the top of the order. In the batting department, the team will be relying once again on in-form Babar Azam along with veteran all-rounders Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik to score bulk of the runs. In the bowling department, the hosts will be hoping their spin duo of Imad Wasim and Shadab Khan will continue their good work in the final game of the series as well.

On the other hand, Australia will be desperate to finish their disappointing tour on a high as they will look to field the same outfit who came close to securing a win in the previous encounter.

Dubai International Cricket Stadium will be hosting its second T20I in the space of two days, which will be the 43rd on the venue. The track, which is normally two-paced, will be expected to be a slower one and the bowlers who can take the pace off the ball will

Pakistan and Australia are set to lock horns in the third T20I in the three-match series in Dubai on Sunday. The Men in Green have already sealed the series after winning the first two games by a comfortable margin. In the series opener, the Sarfraz Ahmed-led unit registered a comfortable 66-run win in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, whereas in the second game, the Green Caps got the better of their opponents by 11 runs in Dubai.

On Sunday, the home side are expected to make few changes and young opener Sahibzada Farhan might replace Fakhar Zaman at the top of the order. In the batting department, the team will be relying once again on in-form Babar Azam along with veteran all-rounders Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik to score bulk of the runs. In the bowling department, the hosts will be hoping their spin duo of Imad Wasim and Shadab Khan will continue their good work in the final game of the series as well.

On the other hand, Australia will be desperate to finish their disappointing tour on a high as they will look to field the same outfit who came close to securing a win in the previous encounter.

Dubai International Cricket Stadium will be hosting its second T20I in the space of two days, which will be the 43rd on the venue. The track, which is normally two-paced, will be expected to be a slower one and the bowlers who can take the pace off the ball will likely to succeed. Record for the highest score at the venue of 211-3 was registered by Sri Lanka in their match against Pakistan in 2013-14.

Key Players:


Glenn Maxwell – 9 Cr

First in the list of key players features Australia all-rounder Glenn Maxwell. The 30-year-old, with 52 T20 internationals under his belt, produced an outstanding knock in the second T20I defeat and showed what he is exactly capable of with the bat. Valued at 9 Cr, Maxwell has the ability to turn the game upside down in the matter of few overs and can prove to be a vital purchase.

Babar Azam – 9.5 Cr

Second in the list of key players features Pakistan's in-form opener Babar Azam. The right-hander showed his great form with the bat in the previous two games and is currently the leading run-scorer in the series. Valued at 9.5 Cr, Azam has showed time and again that he is a reliable player to have in your lineup as he has the ability to play the sheet anchor role with great affect.

Shaheen Shah Afridi – 8 Cr

Last in the list features young Pakistan pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi. The left-armer came in the side after having a reputation of a genuine wicket-taker, and so far, is living up to the expectations. The Lahore Qalandars pacer showed exactly why he is so highly-rated in the last over in the second T20I, when he kept his calm and guided the team to an impressive win. After two matches in the series, Afridi, who is valued at 8 Cr, has four wickets to his name, which shows he is the real deal and a must player to have in your lineup.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Azeem Siddiqui
Passionate sports follower in the field of sports journalism for more than five years. Loves writing about cricket, football, and tennis.
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