Australia vs Pakistan, 1st T20I - Live Cricket Score, Commentary

Series: Pakistan tour of Australia, 2019 Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney Date & Time: Nov 03, 02:30 PM LOCAL

Babar Azam registered another fifty in his flourishing T20I career. © Getty

Match abandoned

Australia would really feel hard done by. There was absolutely no need for a 20-minute break. A 10-minute break would have ensured few more deliveries to complete a game but now the game has been abandoned. Rain just hasn't relented forcing the officials to call off the game. Lucky escape indeed for Pakistan. They will now look to put up an improved showing in the next game which is scheduled on Tuesday.

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Toss - Australia opt to bowl

Both teams have gone in with XIs that were expected. Australia are playing their best bowlers and Pakistan are going in with their three-man left-arm pace attack as well.

Australia (Playing XI): Aaron Finch(c), David Warner, Steven Smith, Ben McDermott, Ashton Turner, Alex Carey(w), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Kane Richardson, Adam Zampa

Pakistan (Playing XI): Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam(c), Haris Sohail, Mohammad Rizwan(w), Asif Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Wahab Riaz, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Irfan

Buildup

A few changes to personnel, a new captain and renewed hope after getting blanked by a depleted Sri Lankan side on their own backyard. Pakistan have arrived in Australia hoping to not only put up a better challenge than Sri Lanka last week, but also to give a good account of themselves 12 months ahead of a World T20 which will be held in this country. It's been ten years since Pakistan won a T20 World Cup and now their preparations begin towards that second title. Babar Azam has been handed the reigns and as the world's number one batsman in this format, he will have to play a key role himself.

Their bowling attack resembles a very experienced look at least in the pace department with the return of Mohammad Irfan. Having not played for Pakistan in over three years, the 37-year-old is back, probably for one final crack. But can he stop the rampaging David Warner? That man has been in red hot form and wasn't dismissed at all against Sri Lanka in those three games. Australia's batting lineup was hardly tested in those three games but they know a stiffer challenge awaits them now.

In the absence of Glenn Maxwell, Ashton Turner will have to shoulder more responsibility and Ben McDermott will be looking to impress as well especially with so many star names waiting in the wings to break in. Australia now have opted to play two spinners in their lineup and that would mean batting Ashton Agar at 7. If they do lose early wickets, it will be interesting to see how they approach their innings. Welcome to the live blog for this opening T20I. There is plenty to look forward to today at the SCG. Tweet in your opinions @Narbavi and have them featured on the blog.