Sat Nov 16 08:36:08 UTC 2024: ## Pakistan Eye T20 Triumph After Stunning ODI Victory Over Australia
**Brisbane, Australia –** Pakistan will aim to carry their momentum from a surprising ODI series win over Australia into a three-match T20 series beginning Thursday in Brisbane. The series, which also includes matches in Sydney and Hobart on November 16th and 18th respectively, sees Pakistan arrive in Australia following a period of significant off-field upheaval.
The departure of white-ball coach Gary Kirsten and the subsequent resignation of Babar Azam as captain, leading to Mohammad Rizwan taking the helm, created uncertainty. Despite these challenges, Pakistan convincingly won the ODI series 2-1, their first ODI series victory in Australia since 2002. Babar Azam’s resurgence in form and Haris Rauf’s impressive bowling performance (10 wickets in the ODI series) were key factors in their success.
Australia, meanwhile, will field a weakened team, resting key bowlers Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood ahead of the upcoming Test series against India. Interim captain Josh Inglis will lead a squad featuring several players vying for spots in the T20 setup, including Spencer Johnson, Aaron Hardie, Xavier Bartlett, and Jake Fraser-McGurk. All-rounder Cooper Connolly is out with a hand injury.
Despite Australia’s recent T20 wins against England and Scotland, Pakistan holds a slight edge in their overall head-to-head record. However, Australia’s recent success, including a T20 World Cup semi-final victory over Pakistan in 2021, suggests a closely fought contest.
Pakistan’s T20 squad includes several uncapped players, reflecting the team’s recent struggles in the format, which culminated in a disappointing T20 World Cup campaign. Their recent ODI success, however, offers a much-needed confidence boost as they enter the T20 series. The series promises exciting clashes between two teams undergoing transitions, with Pakistan eager to prove their T20 mettle and Australia aiming to build towards future success in the format. Al Jazeera will provide live text and photo coverage of the first T20 match.
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