Australia vs Pakistan, Australia vs Pakistan, 2019, Today Match Prediction 21 Nov 2019

aus vs pak Match Prediction & Analysis

Host Australia will be focused to get off to a winning start when they take on Pakistan in the opening game of the two-match Test series at The Gabba in Brisbane on Thursday. Australia Tim Paine will be hoping that the side can deliver a clinical performance with the bat and ball in this opening fixture.

With the likes of Steven Smith and Pat Cummins in top-notch form, Australia will be looking to produce their best cricket at The Gabba.

On the other hand, Pakistan played exceedingly well in the two warm-up games and will be looking to do well in this opening fixture. Captain Azhar Ali will be hoping that the side can spring a surprise and deliver the goods against Australia.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Australia Preview

Tim Paine-led unit will be looking to draw first blood in the two-match series against Pakistan. After doing well in England in the Ashes series, Australia will be looking to maintain their form and do well in this two-match Test series. In the batting department, the side will be relying on the likes of David Warner, Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne to deliver the bulk of the scoring. David Warner will be looking to get back to form in red-ball cricket.

Left-hander clearly struggled in English conditions and scored 95 runs in 10 innings at an average of 9.50. Australia’s premier Steven Smith proved his credentials in the Ashes played in England. In 4 Test matches, Smith scored 774 runs at an average of 110.57 with three centuries and three half-centuries to his name.

Former Australia Captain will be looking to continue his excellent form with the bat in this two-match series. Marnus Labuschagne has been proven to be a consistent performer for the side in Test cricket. He delivered superlative performances for the side in the Ashes series played in England earlier this season. Labuschagne will be determined to make a notable contribution to the side in this fixture. Travis Head, Matthew Wade, and Captain Tim Paine will need to make decent scores for the side in this opening game of the series.

In the bowling department, the side will be looking towards the pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood to make early inroads with the new ball. Pace bowler Pat Cummins has been premier bowler for Australia in Test cricket this season.

In 11 Test matches, Cummins has claimed 57 wickets at an average of 18.71. Off-spinner Nathan Lyon also has delivered impressive performances for Australia so far this season. Since November 2018, Lyon has claimed 45 wickets at an average of 32.95 with three-five wicket-hauls to his name.

Australia Predicted Playing XI:

Tim Paine (captain &wk), Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Steven Smith, Joe Burns, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon

Australia Actual Playing XI:

Tim Paine, Marnus Labuschagne, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Joe Burns , Matthew Wade, Josh Hazlewood, Steven Smith, David Warner, TM Head, Nathan Lyon

Pakistan Preview

The visitors will be confident after putting in back-to-back impressive performances in the warm-up games played at Perth. Captain Azhar Ali will be looking to field their best combination for this opening game of the series. Given the nature of the wicket at Brisbane, Pakistan might be tempted to go for an all-out pace attack. In the batting department, the side will be relying on an experienced trio of Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali and Babar Azam to do the bulk of the scoring. Asad Shafiq has shown exceptional form for Pakistan with back-to-back centuries in the warm-up matches. He will be looking to put in a big performance for the side for this game. Azhar Ali perished for low scores in the warm-up games played at Perth. Newly-appointed Captain will need to lead from the front with the bat and deliver a notable score for the side in this opening fixture.

The opening pair of Imam-ul-Haq and Shan Masood will need to put runs for the side in this opening fixture. Imam and Shan also produced decent scores for Pakistan in the two warm-up games played at Perth. Iftikhar Ahmed will be slotted into the middle-order after delivering impressive performances in the warm-up game played against Australia A side. In the bowling department, the inexperienced pace trio of Mohammad Abbas, Imran Khan and Naseem Shah will need to provide crucial breakthroughs.

Pakistan Predicted Playing XI:

Azhar Ali (captain), Asad Shafiq, Shan Masood, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Iftikhar Ahmed, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Abbas, Imran Khan, Yasir Shah/ Mohammad Musa.

Pakistan Actual Playing XI:

Yasir Shah, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, Shan Masood, Asad Shafiq, Naseem Shah, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imran Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Azhar Ali

Weather Conditions

Traditionally, the surface will have nice pace and carry for bowlers. The batsmen will need to work hard for their runs. The weather forecast for the game to be played on Thursday is expected to be bright and sunny.

Venue Details

The Gabba in Brisbane is going to host the opening game of the Test series between Australia and Pakistan. Since 1999, Australia have not lost a Test match to Pakistan in Australia. Pakistan have lost all their previous Test matches played at The Gabba in Brisbane.

Toss: To Bowl

The side that wins the toss would be keen to bowl first and make good use of pitch conditions. The quick bowlers will enjoy the conditions at the venue.