Who: Australia vs Pakistan
What: A three-match T20 International series
When: November 14, 16 and 18
Where: Brisbane, Sydney and Hobart
Follow Al Jazeera’s live text and photo coverage of the first T20.
Pakistan arrived in Australia for their limited-overs tour on the back of a turbulent period off the field, which saw the departure of Gary Kirsten as the team’s white-ball coach and a change in leadership.
The highly-rated South African coach has resigned after a series of behind-the-scenes changes and a power struggle with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Jason Gillespie, coach of the Pakistani Test team, took charge of the team for the tour of Australia and Mohammad Rizwan was appointed as the country’s white-ball captain after Babar Azam’s resignation.
Despite the off-field ruckus and Australia’s historically poor record, Pakistan managed to stun the world champions in the one-day international series and win 2-1, thanks to an impressive performance by their fast bowlers.
This was the first ODI series win for Pakistan since 2002.
The crushing series win gave the visitors a boost ahead of the three-match T20 International series that begins on Thursday.
Star batsman Babar seemed to have regained his lost form and looked at his best as he scored Pakistan’s winner in the third ODI, while captain Rizwan’s on-field tactics have been near perfect so far.
Haris Rauf led Pakistan’s four-man fast bowling attack with 10 wickets in three matches as Pakistan dominated a weak Australian side that has one eye on the upcoming Test series against India.
Regardless of the Australian lineup, Pakistan’s rapid turnaround has been astonishing – in light of recent events – and unsurprising to loyal cricket fans.
However, the visitors have still managed to go from a world-beating team in one format to an abysmal team in the other, and Australia will be looking to take advantage of any opportunity that comes their way.
The home team, who failed to qualify for the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup in June, is undergoing a transition phase of its own and will be led by interim skipper Josh Inglis.
Australia will be without star bowlers Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood – all of whom have been rested ahead of the Test series.
Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam (right) will be key players in Pakistan’s batting during the T20 series against Australia [File: Trevor Collens/AP]
What is the full match schedule for Australia vs Pakistan T20 series? Match 1: Thursday 14 November, 6pm (08:00 GMT) at Brisbane Cricket Ground, Woolloongabba, Brisbane Match 2: Saturday 16 November, 7pm (08:00 GMT) at Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney Match 3: Monday 18 November, 7pm (08:00 GMT) at Bellerive Oval, Hobart Pakistan vs Australia: T20 head-to-head record
The visitors have a slight advantage in their 25 meetings with the 2021 T20 World Champions, having won 13 matches – including one elimination in 2012.
However, Australia have had recent results in their favor after winning four of their five matches – including the semi-final of the 2021 T20 World Cup in Dubai.
One match in a two-man series in 2019 was canceled due to a washout.
Model guide: Australia
Despite failing to qualify for the semi-finals of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, Australia managed to bounce back and win all three T20 matches on their tour of Scotland.
A few days later, Australia tied the bilateral T20 series against England with each team winning a match.
Last 5 results: NR LWWW
Form Guide: Pakistan
Although Pakistan have won their last two group stage matches in the T20 World Cup, the men in green have had a poor campaign as they suffered a shock defeat at the hands of hosts USA for the first time and the 2009 champions failed to make the semi-finals for the first time in 2016.
Pakistan have not played a T20 international since the World Cup in the USA and West Indies, but their ODI series win gives the visitors a much-needed boost of confidence ahead of the T20s.
Last 5 results: LLLWW
Team News: Australia
Australia have rested several key members of their Test squad, giving a chance to some T20 performers, including Spencer Johnson, Aaron Hardy, Xavier Bartlett and Jake Fraser-McGurk.
All-rounder Cooper Connolly, who broke his hand while batting against Pakistan in the third ODI, will miss the T20 series and has been replaced by Josh Philippe.
Team: Sean Abbott,
Team news: Pakistan
Pakistan’s five difficult months since their ignominious exit from the T20 World Cup have led to a number of leadership and personnel changes across all teams.
Their T20 squad includes some lesser-known players who have never played, including Arafat Minhas, Haseebullah Khan, Jehandad Khan, Umair Bin Youssef and Sufyan Muqim.
Team: Muhammad Rizwan (captain, wicket-keeper), Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah Khan (wicket-keeper), Jehandad Khan, Muhammad Abbas Afridi, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Umair Bin Yousuf, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha. Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Muqim, Usman Khan.
