Australia's tour of Pakistan 2022 will come to an end with a one-off T20I encounter on Tuesday in Lahore. The tour began with a three-match Test series, which was followed by a three-match ODI series. The Test series ended in a 1-0 victory for Australia, but the limited-overs series was won by Pakistan by a margin of 2-1. Therefore, it will be fascinating to see who win the twenty20 format series. The one-off T20 match preview of the PAK vs AUS series 2022 is discussed in this article.
One-off T20I Match preview of the Pakistan-Australia Series 2022
There will be some changes in the playing XI for both sides since it’s a twenty20 format of cricket. Pakistan selectors included 17 players in the squad, which gives the team management some options to select an ideal playing XI for the match. But the biggest news for Pakistan's campaign is that injured all-rounder Shadab Khan is likely to play in this match.
On the other hand, some Australian players tested positive for COVID-19 in recent tests. The visiting side will be hoping that all the players remain free from the coronavirus and available for the one-off T20 match against Pakistan. The match will start on Tuesday at 9.30 p.m. (Bangladesh Standard Time).
Pakistan
Pakistan would seek to avenge their recent semifinal loss to Australia in the T20 World Cup 2021. The Pakistan team certainly has the players to put in a dominant performance over the Baggy Green short-format side. This Pakistan T20 team has some world-class all-rounders, power hitters, and genuine wicket-taking bowlers. So, the Pakistan team should feel confident heading into the match against Australia.
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Pakistan skipper Babar Azam has been in outstanding form since the Test series. He saved a Test match with a big hundred, followed by two white-ball centuries, which helped Pakistan to clinch the ODI series. Will Babar step up to the challenge once more for Pakistan in the lone Twenty20 match against Australia?
Probable playing XI
Top Order: Babar Azam (captain), Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Fakhar Zaman, Middle-Orders: Asif Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Haider Ali, Khushdil Shah, Shadab Khan, Lower-Order: Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf
Australia
Two of Australia’s prominent T20 players, Josh Inglis and Ashton Agar, were tested positive for coronavirus. They are currently in isolation but will go for a further COVID-19 test before the match starts.
If their tests come back negative, then they will be selected for this match. Besides, there is a strong possibility that Cameron Green and Marnus Labuschagne may make their T20I debuts. Australia will put the host team to the test if they can find the proper balance for the encounter.
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Probable Playing XI
Top Order: Aaron Finch (captain), Travis Head, Ben McDermott, Middle Orders: Alex Carey (wicket-keeper), Marcus Stoinis, Cameron Green, Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Lower Order: Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Jason Behrendorff
Weather Forecast and Pitch Report
There is no chance of rain on Tuesday in Lahore. The game would begin in the evening, giving an ideal setting for a T20 contest. This match has the potential to become a run-fest due to the batting-friendly pitch.
Bottom Line
The Pakistan team may believe they are in a strong position to beat Australia in this match, considering that the hosts secured the ODI series against the visitors just a few days earlier in Lahore. Pakistan currently has the momentum and would like to use smart tactics to overcome Australia in the match. On the other hand, the Australian batters will go after Pakistan's bowling lineups in an attempt to disrupt their rhythm and seize control of the game. The team that can fight more diligently will have a better chance of winning this lone T20 match of PAK vs AUS series 2022 given that both sides have some world-class T20 cricketers.
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