The first game was dominated by Pakistan's outstanding bowlers,
especially the spin of Saeed Ajmal, Mohammad Hafeez and the debutant
Raza Hasan, although the fast men Sohail Tanvir and Umar Gul were also
very effective. They bowled Australia out for 89, their second lowest
T20 total of all time, and the chase was a doddle. Again, Pakistan's
bowlers will be a handful for Australia's long batting line-up. The big
boundaries at Dubai won't help, and Australia will need far more than
the three fours they struck in the first game if they are to avoid
losing the series in this match. More than anything they need runs from
the top order but worryingly David Warner is struggling for form, having
scored at less than a run a ball in all three ODIs against Pakistan and
the first T20, with a top score of 24.
As much as this match is about a series being up for grabs, it's another
chance for both sides to prepare for the ICC World Twenty20, to be held
in Sri Lanka later this month. Pakistan can be pleased with where they
are placed, although it wouldn't be a bad thing if their batsmen were
either set a heftier chase or given a chance to bat first, to give them a
more intense time in the middle.
Australia must put their thrashing in the first game behind them and
realise that in the shortest format, one piece of individual brilliance
can be enough to turn a team's form around. They have made three changes
to the bowling group but it is in the batting order that they need a
lift. If they don't, they risk entering the World T20 ranked tenth in
the world - behind Ireland. And what's below a minnow in the food chain?
Krill? Algae?
Form guide (Complete matches, most recent first)
Pakistan WWLLL
Australia LLWLL
Australia LLWLL
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment