Pakistan and Australia are going to take on each other in the 1st match of the two-match twenty20 series on 5 July 2010 at Edgbaston in Birmingham. Both sides would look to win the match, and thus, creating the opportunity to win the series in what would give them a confidence booster ahead of the two-match test series.
Live Score
To get the live score of the match, visit the following link:
http://www.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/scores/live.html
Pakistan goes into the match on the back of 12 consecutive defeats to Australia in all formats. No doubt, Afridi and his teammates would like to put an end to this losing streak. Pakistan would also like to take a sweet revenge of their defeat to Australia in the semi final of Twenty20 World Cup 2010 in the Caribbean. With that defeat, Pakistan failed to reach the final and lost the opportunity to defend the title.
Pakistan may not have any big success in the recent past as they could not reach the final of Asia Cup. However, Pakistan team showed excellent improvement in all three matches. Most importantly, all of their top order batsmen got runs in the tour matches in England. So, Pakistani batsmen are expected to be full of confidence ahead of the match.
In the presence of Salman Butt, Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal, Umar Akmal and Abdur Razzaq, Pakistan has an excellent batting line up which could be destructive against any bowling side while playing at their best. Captain Afridi got two morale booster centuries against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh during the Asia Cup. It is most likely that Shahzaib Hasan would open the inning with Salman Butt for Pakistan.
Pakistan also has an experienced bowling attack in the presence of Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul and Shahid Afridi. Mohammad Aamer would open for Pakistan along with Gul, while Shoaib and Razzaq would join them later in the innings. Afridi and Saeed Ajmal would lead their spin attack.
On the back of a 3-2 defeat in the recently concluded ODI series against England, Australia seems to have lack of confidence. However, the way they won the last two matches, it seems the Aussies have recovered at least some part of their confidence.
Australian batting line up features some specialist hard hitters like David Warner, David Hussey, Cameron White and Shane Watson who can single-handedly change the course of a twenty20 match. Michael Hussey would be their inspiration after his glorious match-winning innings in the semi final victory over Pakistan in the twenty20 World Cup. Captain Michael Clarke is most like to play after recovering his back injury that kept him out of Australia’s last match against England.
However, Australia would miss in-form pacer Ryan Harris who has gone back home with a knee injury. Still, Australia has a fearsome pace attack in the presence of Mitchell Johnson, Dirk Nannes and Shaun Tait. Leg spinner Steve Smith is the only specialist spinner who would get support from occasional spinner Michael Clarke. Tim Paine would deputize for regular wicketkeeper Brad Haddin.
Overall, cricket fans would love to experience a highly entertaining affair. There is no doubt, an one-sided match in favor of any team would not please the fans. Though both sides have very good batting line up and quality pace attack, there is every possibility the performance of the Pakistani spinners could make a difference in the match.
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