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Match Details
Date: November 11, 2021
Time: 7:30 PM IST
Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium
Preview:
Tournament favourites Pakistan will take on high flying Australia in the 2nd semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2021 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Pakistan defeated India, New Zealand, Afghanistan, Scotland and Namibia to become the first team to reach the semis. Meanwhile, Australia have only lost just one match in the tournament, which came against England.
Head-to-Head:
Pitch Report:
Toss has played a crucial role in Dubai during the World Cup so far, with sides batting second getting a clear advantage with dew on the field. With a total of 130-140 not proving to be competitive enough, the side batting first might look to go beyond 160-run mark to give themselves a chance. Scoring runs has not been so easy in the middle overs. Pacers and spinners are expected to get some assistance from this pitch.
Team Analysis
Pakistan:
Babar Azam's team is the only unbeaten side in the competition and all five of their wins have been impressive. The way they opened their campaign with a dominant 10-wicket victory over arch rivals India spoke volumes about their mindset and attitude towards this tournament.
Pakistan's batting lineup has performed exceptionally well with Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik and Asif Ali in supreme form. While in the bowling department, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf and Hasan Ali have all been among the wickets. Their spinners have also bowled well.
Australia:
Australia entered into the tournament on the back of consecutive T20I series losses against the West Indies and Bangladesh. But their fortunes changed at the World Cup with Aussie players performing to the best of their abilities. David Warner and skipper Aaron Finch have regained their form at the right time and will aim to provide their side an explosive start.
The team also has a solid middle order comprising of the likes of Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Marsh, who all are quality players and can turn the match on its head. The bowling department also looks well-settled with the presence of world-class bowlers like Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood. The Aussies, searching for their maiden T20 title, will be eager to enter the final.
Squads
Pakistan :
Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Babar Azam (c), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Nawaz, Haider Ali, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Mohammad Wasim Jr.
Australia:
Aaron Finch (c), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins (vc), Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa.
Match Prediction:
Conclusion:
Pakistan have played some brilliant cricket at this T20 World Cup but they need to make sure that they maintain their high level of performance. On the other hand, the Aussies are peaking at the right time with swashbuckling opener David Warner scoring 89* against the West Indies in their last game. Pakistan are the favorites to win the match but Australia also have a good chance of winning if their key players fire.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the author's personal point of view. They neither reflect the opinion of SportsTiger nor advise anyone to make any prediction based on this. SportsTiger does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.