Title contenders Australia will begin their campaign in the ICC World Twenty20, 2014 today with a match against Pakistan in Dhaka being fully aware of the dangers posed by their wounded opponents. Pakistan had an unceremonious start to the tournament losing to arch-rivals India by seven wickets which has made their journey towards the semi-final uncertain, a feat that they never missed in the previous four editions of the tournament.
With defending champions West Indies and hosts Bangladesh completing the group, no team will be able to afford more than one loss, leaving it as a must-win contest for Pakistan.
The former champions will mostly rely on their spinners to support their cause on a slow, turning track at Mirpur.
The Indian spinners produced big turns perplexing the Pakistani batsmen in Friday’s match and earlier in the opening first round game, the Bangladesh spinners also got some assistance from the pitch against Afghanistan.
It will encourage Pakistan, who boast the best T20 spinner in Saeed Ajmal at their disposal and he is expected to be supported by Mohammad Hafeez and Shahid Afridi.
Pakistan coach Moin Khan indicated that they will use Shoaib Malik, who is also handy spinner, if necessary.
‘We have lots of options in the team,’ Moin said after the India loss. ‘We didn’t bowl Shoaib Malik, but we’ve got the option there. We have good spinners with us, so we’ll see. It depends on the pitch, which type of a pitch we get in the next match.’
Pakistan are also considering drafting in a fourth spinner in 35-year old Zulfiqar Babar, a left-arm spinner who could prove to be a surprise package.
Pakistan also have the advantage of being familiar with the conditions having played in Bangladesh more than any other side over the past two years. They are practically in Bangladesh for more than a month since the Asia Cup in February.
Australia, who are on a five-match winning spree in T20 Internationals, on the other hand have had very little time adjusting having arrived here barely a week ago. The Aussies have played just one warm-up game unlike other title aspirants.
‘I don’t think we have any advantage,’ said Australia captain George Bailey. ‘If anything, they have probably got the advantage in terms of having played here, got used to the conditions.
‘We haven’t played at this ground yet, it is going to be fresh for us. We have to adjust pretty quickly.’
Bailey is fully conscious that if they cannot make a quick adjustment, it will not be easy for them against the likes of Ajmal.
‘I think spin plays a huge role in T20, wherever it’s played in the world,’ said Bailey. ‘It tends to go one of two ways but certainly in these conditions, it tends to be match-winning. It’s a challenge.
‘We know we are going to face lots of spin, we know we are probably going to bowl a lot of spin. Your approach is to play as well as you can.’
-With New Age input
