Pakistan, Australia looking ahead to World T20

Both teams have named young and inexperienced squads


Afp October 03, 2014

DUBAI: Pakistan and Australia look to rebuild their squads for the shortest format of the game in the tour’s only T20I in Dubai on Sunday as both outfits are missing key men.

Pakistan, who were World Twenty20 champions in 2009, will be without their main spinner, Saeed Ajmal, who is suspended from international cricket after his bowling action was deemed illegal last month.

Ajmal has been a huge success in the T20 format, having taken 85 wickets in 63 matches; the highest by any bowler in this format.

The wily spinner has previously missed only three T20 matches out of the 66 that Pakistan have played since his debut in 2009. However, that number is now sure to increase.

Pakistan had a miserable World Twenty20 in Bangladesh in April, when they failed to reach the semi-finals for the first time in the tournament’s history, prompting captain Muhammad Hafeez to step down. Since then, the responsibility has been handed over to all-rounder Shahid Afridi, who will be keen to start his second stint as captain with a win.

Pakistan have included left-arm spinner Raza Hasan to replace Ajmal and also have an exciting leg-spinning all-rounder in Saad Nasim, who will be hoping to make his debut on Sunday.

Afridi hopes he will be able to build on the young squad for the 2016 World Twenty20. "We don't have to look back at who is not available,” he said. “We have to think about building a squad for the 2016 World Twenty20.”

Australia too have a new captain in Aaron Finch, who took over after George Bailey stood down to concentrate on one-day and first class cricket in order to win back a place in the Test side. Australia were also knocked out of the last World Twenty20 in the group stages, but have won six out of nine this year, compared to Pakistan's two from four.

Finch too has a young and inexperienced squad at his disposal, after experienced all-rounder Shane Watson was ruled out of the tour with an ankle injury. Watson’s likely replacement, Mitchell Marsh, is also doubtful for Sunday's game due to a hamstring injury.

Paceman Pat Cummins will also miss out due to his involvement in the Champions League Twenty20, but big-hitter Glenn Maxwell and uncapped leg-spinner Cameron Boyce are likely to join the squad.

"It goes without saying that I will do my utmost in this role [as captain] as we head into the World T20 in 18 months' time," said Finch.

 

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