Pakistan eager to bounce back in Sydney

ISLAMABAD: The weather in Sydney is expected to get better by today (Saturday) evening, allowing the two teams to make full use of their 20-over quota each in the second T20 International.

The first T20 was marred by rain and bad weather, and only seven overs each were possible for the fans to enjoy. It was more of a power-hitting show rather setting up a realistic challenge for the team chasing the target.

According to reports reaching here, Sydney could also experience rain early Saturday morning, but the forecast is all clear for the afternoon when the night match will get underway at around 7 p.m. Sydney time.

Pakistan cricketers have reached Sydney following the Brisbane match where Glen Maxwell’s spectacular display of power hitting overpowered the tourists. Pakistan were looking forward to bouncing back in the series on their favourite Sydney surface which suits more to spinners. “Chances are there that one extra spinner (Sufyan Moqim) could make his international debut.

It all depends on how the wicket behaves. We have not seen the wicket as we were traveling on Friday. Once we see the final shape of the wicket the decision to include an extra spinner will be taken,” an official accompanying the team, when contacted, said.

He added that besides dropping one batsman from the team, chances are there that the batting line-up would also be shuffled. “All depends on the wicket and conditions. Early morning rain is expected in Sydney but the forecast is all clear for the evening when the match is scheduled,” the official said.

Pakistan won the three-match ODI series last week 2-1. “Efforts will be made to not only win the second T20 but also go on to win the third T20 as well to pocket the second successive limited-overs series in Australia.”

The official added that there will be no practice sessions from here on in Australia. “It is all about traveling and playing now, no more practice sessions.” Mohammad Rizwan who spoke to the media at the end of first T20I hoped to bounce back in the series.

“We have no control on weather. Our batsmen tried hard but it was a different type of chase with a different challenge,” he said. Pakistan squad: Mohammad Rizwan (captain/wicket-keeper), Salman Ali Agha (vice-captain), Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah, Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Omair Bin Yousuf, Sahibzada Farhan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Moqim, Usman Khan.

TODAY’S FIXTURE

Australia vs Pakistan

1:30 pm PST