Clinical Pakistan set to test Australia’s credentials in semis of the T20 World Cup

Mohammad Abdullah, Senior Sports Reporter

A confident Pakistan will face a stern test against a buoyant Australia for a berth in the T20 World Cup final on Thursday. Australia seem to be quite rich in resources with a batting line-up deep like a well and bowling attack as sharp and accurate as a harpoon.

Pakistan are in sublime form and look ready to blow away anything that comes in their way. Australia’s credentials will be put to sword and duly tested by an unbeaten Pakistan in the last four. Pakistan will look to carry their winning momentum in the semifinals.

They got their campaign off to a flying start with a thumping victory against India and set the tone for the rest of the tournament. They have emerged as the top contenders for the title after notching up five straight wins. They have a very balanced side which is a perfect blend of experience and youth.

The openers Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan are in great touch and have been giving Pakistan a solid foundation consistently to build the innings.

Babar has led from the front as he smacked three fifties to emerge as the highest scorer in the tournament and go on the top of the ICC batsmen standings in T20s.

At number three, they have a very reliable Fakhar Zaman, who is due to play a big innings. Players like veteran all-rounders Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Hafeez add a lot of value to the team with their combined experience of almost 40 years.

Both can play big knocks and bowl quite a few overs in the middle of the innings, which gives a lot of options to young skipper Babar in bowling. Shoaib smashed a whirlwind 18-ball 54 against Scotland in their last match and was adjudged man of the match for his batting exploits.

Mohammad Asif can be called the discovery of the tournament. He has batted splendidly well and showed his mettle against New Zealand. He steered Pakistan to safety twice with powerful hitting down the order.

Shaheen Shah Afridi’s accuracy, Haris Rauf's pace and Hasan Ali's swing give Pakistan a very strong pace attack. Afridi and Rauf can rattle the top order while Ali is capable of keeping the pressure on.

Imad Wasim and Shadab Khan are master at choking the flow of runs to frustrate the batsmen. They are well supported by Shoaib and Hafeez, who can chip in with useful contributions.

Meanwhile, Australia will also look to stay on course for their first T20 World Cup title. Having won five 50-over World Cups and thrice in a row, Australia are yet to win a world title in this format of the game.

Australia are also brimming with the confidence after stellar performance so far. They are coming into match on the back of four wins from their five games.

They have been further bolstered by David Warner’s return to form. The left-handed opener, is back in the groove with two fifties, 89 against West Indies and a blitzkrieg 65 against Sri Lanka.

He has accumulated 187 runs for the tournament. Many eyebrows were raised on his selection for the showpiece event owing to a dismal performance in the recently-concluded IPL, where he was dropped from playing XI by Sunrisers Hyderabad.

"I was never worried even a bit about his form. He's one of the all-time greatest batsmen of our era," said captain Aaron Finch.

Australia have very deep batting as the batsmen like Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis further consolidate the middle-order.

The pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have been very impressive throughout and young Adam Zampa lead the spin charge. He is the tournament's joint second-highest wicket-taker with 11 scalps but often been at the receiving end of the critics.

"I don't think that anyone has underrated him," stressed Finch about Zampa, who became the only bowler to return with a five –wicket haul with 5-19 against Bangladesh.

Maxwell revealed their game plan and vowed to play a firebrand cricket.

“We, unlike other teams, will not keep the wickets in hands charge in the death overs but we will try to exploit the power play push them on the back foot,” said Maxwell.