Pakistan vs Australia T20 Series: Timings, Teams, Head to Heads, News | Cricket news

WHO: Australia vs Pakistan
What: Three-match T20 international series
When: 14, 16 and 18 November
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 tumultuous period off the field, which saw Gary Kirsten leave as the team’s white-ball coach and change the team’s management.

The highly rated South African coach resigned following a series of changes behind the scenes and a power struggle with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Jason Gillespie, Pakistan’s Test coach, took charge of the team for the Australia tour and Mohammad Rizwan was named the country’s white-ball captain following the resignation of Babar Azam.

Despite off-field turmoil and a historically poor record in Australia, Pakistan managed to beat the world champions in the one-day international series, winning it 2-1, thanks to the superb performance of their fast bowlers.

It was Pakistan’s first ODI series win down under since 2002.

The crushing series win has given the visitors a shot in the arm ahead of the three-match T20 international that begins on Thursday.

Star player Babar seems to have found his lost form and looked in superb touch as he hit Pakistan’s winning run in the third ODI, while captain Rizwan’s on-field tactics have been almost perfect so far.

Haris Rauf led Pakistan’s four-man fast bowling attack with 10 wickets in three matches as Pakistan dominated a weakened Australian side that has one eye on the upcoming Test series against India.

Regardless of Australia’s line-up, Pakistan’s rapid turnaround has been as stunning – given recent events – as it was unsurprising to its loyal cricket fans.

Nevertheless, the visitors are still capable of transforming themselves from world beaters in one format to an abysmal outfit in the other and Australia will look to pounce on any opportunity that comes their way.

The hosts, who failed to qualify for the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup in June, are undergoing their own T20 transition and will be led by interim captain Josh Inglis.

Australia will be without their star bowlers Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood – all of whom have been rested ahead of the Test series.

What is the full match schedule for Australia vs Pakistan T20 series?

• Match 1: Thursday 14 November at 18:00 (08:00 GMT) at the Brisbane Cricket Ground, Woolloongabba, Brisbane
• Match 2: Saturday 16 November at 19:00 (08:00 GMT) at Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
• Match 3: Monday 18 November at 19 (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 a one-over eliminator in 2012.

However, Australia have recent results in their favor having won four of their five matches – including the 2021 T20 World Cup semi-final in Dubai.

One match, in a bilateral series in 2019, was abandoned due to a washout.

Form guide: Australia

Despite failing to qualify for the semi-finals of the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup, Australia managed to bounce back and win all three of their T20 matches on their tour of Scotland.

A few days later, Australia drew their bilateral T20 series against England as each side won their respective matches.

Last five results: NO LWWW

Form guide: Pakistan

Although Pakistan won their last two group stage matches at the T20 World Cup, the Men in Green had an abysmal campaign, suffering a shock loss to debutant hosts USA and the 2009 champions failing to make the semi-finals for the first time since 2016.

Pakistan have not played a T20 international since the World Cup in USA and West Indies, but their ODI series win gives the visitors a much-needed boost of confidence ahead of the T20s.

Last five results: LLLWW

Team News: Australia

Australia have rested several key members of their Test squad, providing some T20 performers including Spencer Johnson, Aaron Hardie, 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, Xavier Bartlett, Josh Philippe, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis (wicketkeeper), Spencer Johnson, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa

Team News: Pakistan

Pakistan’s rocky five months since their ignominious T20 World Cup exit has resulted in a number of changes in leadership and personnel across all teams.

Their T20 team has some lesser known and uncapped players including Arafat Minhas, Haseebullah Khan, Jahandad Khan, Omair bin Yousuf and Sufyan Moqim.

Team: Mohammad Rizwan (captain, wicketkeeper), Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah Khan (wicketkeeper), Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Omair bin Yousuf, Sahibzada Farhan, Shaheen Ali Shah Agha, Afridi , Sufyan Moqim, Usman Khan.