Day 4 of Pakistan vs Australia 2nd Test 2010: Live Score and Preview

Pakistan cricket team will come to bat on the fourth day of the second Test match at Headingley, Leeds, with the expect of putting Australian winning steak to an end as the South Asian team needs 40 runs more to win the match and level the two-match Test series. They have two more days and 7 wickets remaining at hand. Young studded Pakistan cricket team is eyeing for its historic first Test victory over Australia in 15 years.

Time:

The fourth day of the second Test match is scheduled to start at 09:30 GMT and 10:30 local time. Indian fans can watch this match live at 15:00.

Live Score:

To get live score of the match, visit the following link: http://www.cricinfo.com/pakvaus2010/engine/current/match/426395.html

Thanks to Remarkable performance from opener, Imran Farhat, and young seam bowler, Mohammad Aamer, Pakistan is very close from its first Test victory against Australia and it would end the straight Tests defeats recorded by the same opponent. This victory will not let Australia increase their winning streak over Pakistan to 14.

With the ball, Mohammad Aamer led his team from front and picked four wickets for 86. However, in the second innings, Australia could scored 349 runs and set Pakistan 180 runs need to win.

Imran Farhat made the work easier after scoring an important innings of 95-ball 67 and left Pakistan 140-3 at stumps on the third day.

It was Australian opening bowler, Doug Bollinger, who made put some pressure with the ball and picked two wickets in 7 balls. Another wicket was taken by Ben Hilfenhaus.

Azhar Ali, who is playing in his second Test match, scored not out at stumps and made a significant 110 runs partnership with Imran Farhat in the second wicket stand.

Steven Smith’s 100-ball 77 in the lower order position helped Australian cricket team increase their lead ahead of Pakistan. During his passionate innings, he hit nine boundaries and two sixes.

Before that, Captain, Ricky Ponting, scored 66 runs from playing 116 balls with seven boundaries. With this half century, he has reached the 12000-run land mark. Before the start of 2nd Test match he needed just 46 runs to make it 12000 Test runs. He is perhaps the second highest Test run scorer after Sachin Tendulkar.

Michael Clarke has great contribution behind Australia’s tricky target. He also scored 77 runs from 143 balls, including seven fours.

At the beginning of the third day, Australia was 136-2. They scored 213 runs in the third day. Out of it 100 runs come from last three wickets.

It is the time for Pakistani batsmen to make a happy moment for the home fans. Salman Butt is at the verge of making his successful captaincy debut with a test victory.

Pakistan vs Australia ICC T20 World Cup 2010: Match Analysis and Live Score Information

Defending champion, Pakistan, will face Australia in their last match on 2^nd May 2010 with the hope of becoming group champion. This match will be played at Beausejour Stadium in St Lucia. Millions of fans around the world are eagerly waiting to see this game live on TV. This match will kick off at 17:30 GMT and 13:30 West Indian Time.

Pakistan cricket team has already ensured their place in the super eight round after defeating Bangladesh by 21 runs. Now, they will take on Australia to be the group champion in group A. However, it is going to be the first game for Australian cricket team. I hope that they do not want to take any risk to be upset by Bangladesh. That is why, they will struggle hard to win the match in any cost.

Odds:

It is really impossible for anyone to predict who will win this match. Both Pakistan and Australia had poor performance in warm-up matches. Both of them were beaten by minnow Zimbabwe. It will be interesting to see if Pakistan cricket team can remain their unbeaten form or not. Who do you think will be the group champion in group A: Pakistan or Australia?

Highest time World Cup Champion team, Australia, has been ruling the cricket world for more than one decade. Despite performing well in both ODI and Test cricket, they could not win any trophy in the shortest version of cricket game. They feel upset for their failure in T20 cricket. Now, Australia is now confident about their success in this event. They have come West Indies with the aim of winning the champions trophy and that is why Australian selectors announced a strong squad. They will seek inspiration from their previous victory against Pakistan.

It will be an acid test for skipper, Michael Clarke. The success of Australian cricket team will depend on him. He was named captain after Ricky Ponting announcing his retirement from T20 cricket last September to concentrate on playing Test and ODI cricket. He has already proved himself as a dependable batsman. He rescued his team many times. Let us see if he can guide his team successfully as a captain.

Strength of Batting:

Australia has strong batting and bowling up. Their batting line up consists of some hard hitter batsmen like Shane Watson, David Warner, Cameron White and Brad Haddin. All rounder Andrew Symonds and James Hopes will play an effective role in the middle order position. Dan Christian is the uncapped all rounder in Australian squad. He is supposed to make his debut with this T20 World Cup.

Strength of Bowling:

Australian bowling line up looks much stronger and fearsome. Selectors included three fast bowlers who can bowl at 145 km/h per hour. Mitchell Johnson, Dirk Nannes and Ryan Harris are in good form. Opposite teams will have a tough time to face them.

Brett Lee is out of Australia squad for injury:

Perhaps Australian cricket team will have to face a tough challenge in their first group match against Pakistan because of the absence of their leading fast bowler, Brett Lee, who returns back to Australia on Saturday after sustaining an injury in his right forearm during the warm-up match against Zimbabwe. His injury ruled him out of the Twenty20 World Cup. It came as a shock withdrawal for the whole Australian cricket team. However, this injury also raised question whether he can continue his international career. There is no doubt that Australian cricket team will have to suffer a lot due to his absence. He is an experienced fast bowler. So, it will be a difficult task for the selectors to find a best replacement in his place. May be, he will be replaced by Ryan Harris.

Injury is a very common thing for Brett Lee. Since December 2008, he has fallen into injury five times including ankle surgery, side strain, elbow surgery and a fractured thumb. This time it will take him long time to be recovered from injury.

Chairman of the selectors, Andrew Hilditch, is hopeful about Brett Lee that he will be recovered soon and make his strong comeback. To remain his position in Australian squad, he will have to produce his career-best form.

Pakistan fast bowler, Umar Gul, who was the highest wicket taker in last year’s T20 World Cup, could not join with Pakistan squad because of his injury. However, he was successfully replaced by Mohammad Sami. However, they will be aware of their batting line up.

Live TV channels:

I know that fans should enjoy this game live on TV. Some TV channels in both Pakistan and Australia will telecast it live. Fox Sports has got the right to telecast all the matches live in Australia. In Pakistan, GEO Super and Pakistan Television Corporation will telecast the match live on TV. However, South Asian people also can enjoy this game live on ESPN STAR Sports.

Live commentary in Radios:

However, you can enjoy the match live on radio also. In Australia, ABC Local Radio will give live commentary. On the other hand, Hum FM will give live commentary in Pakistan.

Who do you think will win?

Peter Siddle and Philip Hughes made it into to Boxing day test squad

For the upcoming Boxing Day Test against Pakistan, the Australia National Selection Panel announced its thirteen-man team. Though top players like Brett Lee, Stuart Clark and team captain, Ricky Ponting are suffering from injuries, pacer Peter Siddle and opener Philip Hughes were able to recover from injury in time. Philip Hughes will be the standby for captain Ricky Ponting, who injured a tendon in his left arm. Chairman of the National Selection Panel, Andrew Hilditch, told reporters that Philip has been named for his exciting debut against South Africa and based on his recent performance at the Weet-Bix Sheffield Shield cricket.

Peter Siddle, the right-arm fast-medium bowler, was also suffering from hamstring strain injury but on December 22, 2009, he declared himself fit and included in the Pakistan test team. Peter also participated in a one-day match against New South Wales in Sydney on December 23, 2009.

Ben Hilfenhaus, the right-arm fast-medium bowler, has been suffering from a knee injury would not be able to play the test.

Pakistan vs Australia 4th ODI 2009: Preview, Live Score

(This entry was originally published on Wednesday, April 29th, 2009)

Pakistan is going to face Australia in the fourth of the five-match ODI series at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi. This is a must-win match for Pakistan who holds the home series status in the ongoing tour to UAE. Australia is currently leading by 2-1, having won 2 back-to-back matches after the humiliating defeat in the first match. Pakistani cricket fans were expecting their players to dominate over the world champions in the series prior to the kick off of the series. Pakistan team started off the series pretty well too, but after losing the second and third ODIs of the series, Pakistan is now left with no other options except winning the remaining two matches to win the series.

Match: Pakistan vs Australia, 4^th ODI 2009

Date: 1 May 2009

Venue: Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Time: 15:00 Local time (11:00 GMT)

Live TV: Ten Sports

Naturally, Pakistan is now under pressure because they know another defeat would leave them in a position from where they would not be able to save the ODI series. Pakistan cricket did not have a very good time both on and off the field over the last one year. Earlier this year, Pakistan had lost to Sri Lanka in a 3-match ODI series at home, before the Lahore terror attack on Sri Lankan team bus put an uncertainty over the future of Pakistan cricket. Winning the series over world champion Australia would be the best possible way to keep some hopes alive regarding Pakistan cricket and it would be huge boost up for the Pakistan team ahead of ICC World Twenty20 2009 and ICC Champions Trophy 2009.

For Australia, the situation is a bit different. Their problem lies only on the field. They lost the number 1 spot of ICC ODI ranking to South Africa this year after losing the ODI series at home, and then the Aussies were beaten by South Africa in the recently concluded ODI series on South African soil. Naturally, Australian cricketers were not at the right shape of mind at the beginning of the series, and their confidence level got a huge blow when their batsmen failed to show any resistance against Pakistani spinners in the first ODI. However, Tim Nielsen boys bounced back with full swing winning the second match with sheer dominance. The victory in the third match which was very close must have helped the Australians to retain a big part of their confidence.

Spinners have been the deciding factors in the series so far with Shahid Afridi and Nathan Hauritz are dominating over the opposition batsmen. Afridi achieved his career best bowling when he took 6 wickets for 38 in the first ODI, and the all rounder kept his excellent bowling form continuing in the last two matches too. Michael Clarke’s match winning bowling in the third ODI must have strengthened Australia’s spin attack, while Pakistani spinners dominated over the Australian batsmen throughout the series so far.

The main problem of Pakistan cricket team is the prevailing rustiness in their batting. Three matches have been held so far in this series, but Pakistani batsmen could not yet get back in the right track. Specially, the middle order batsmen are struggling in the series and this was clear when Pakistan got all out for 171 runs, falling just 28 runs short of a small winning target in the third ODI, despite having 95 runs in the opening stand between Salman Butt and Ahmed Shehzad. Players like Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Shoaib Malik and Kamran Akmal will have to take bigger responsibility in the remaining two matches, if Pakistan wants to win the series. Their pace attack is pretty much balanced, and given the condition and the wicket of Abu Dhabi, I think, their spin-quartet including Afridi, Ajmal and Shoaib Malik will lead Pakistan’s bowling attack.

For Australia, they just need to show enough resistance against Pakistan’s spin attack. In the absence of Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey, Australia’s batting line up has definitely lost some strength, but the likes of Ferguson and Daivd Hussey have the talent to take responsibility and it is a big chance for them to prove their worth ahead of Twenty20 world cup 2009. Hopes and Haddin are doing pretty well, while Watson has filled in Ponting’s place in the batting order successfully. Andrew Symonds indicated to be back in form in the second ODI.

Brett Lee has returned to the ODI squad for the remaining two games after getting over his ankle surgery, but the veteran is less likely to feature in action before the only Twenty20 international. Australia’s current pace attack featuring Bracken, Hilfenhaus, Clark and Bollinger may not be a frightening force, but they have been proven to be pretty much effective. Alike Pakistan team, Australia’s bowling attack will also be led by two spinners: Hauritz and Clarke.

Online Live Score and Updates

Here, I am giving some websites from where you can get the live score and updates of the match:

Cricinfo

Sify sports

action8cricket

Cricket365

Thatscricket

cricketnext

Headlinesindia.com

CRICBUZZ

123INDIA.COM

Personally, I want to experience a hard-fought affair in the fourth ODI and much of it would depend on the performance of Pakistan’s bating performance. Australia is now full of confidence after winning two matches in a row, but you can not forget one thing that Pakistan has great history to come back at a crucial time in a series or tournament. So, Australia can not just sit back and relax ahead of the fourth ODI on Friday at Abu Dhabi.

Australia has the Last Laugh Against Pakistan in 2nd ODI 2009

(This entry was originally published on Friday, April 24th, 2009)

The match took place at the same stadium like the 1^st ODI on Wednesday. In the first ODI, Pakistan thrashed Australia by 4 wickets and the funny thing is that today, Australia did the same thing- won by 4 wickets. So, the series is evenly poised now and we are eagerly waiting for the 3^rd match.

It was Friday and the holiday for the people in Dubai. So, the match was a sell out and many expatriate Pakistani workers came to enjoy it. Most of them returned home with a sad heart because their favorite team lost.

Pakistan batted first and could score 207 runs and got all out. 207 was perhaps a small total for Australian players who were eager to get some kind of revenge. Andrew Symonds and Michael Clarke were the heroes for them. Symonds got half century and Clarke played a very responsible innings and stayed in the crease for a long time. Pakistani bowlers could not put any kind of pressure on the opponents. This is the thing that made the difference between the two teams in the end. Australian bowlers bowled well and got good support from the fielders.

Now, let us see what happens in the third ODI match.

Pakistan vs Australia 2nd ODI 2009: Analysis, Live Score

(This entry was originally published on Thursday, April 23rd, 2009)

After showing a dominant performance in the first ODI, Pakistan is now going to face Australia tomorrow (24 April 2009) in the second match of the five-match ODI series at the Dubai Sports City Cricket Stadium, Dubai, UAE. With a 4-wicekt victory in the first match, Pakistan is now leading 1-0 in the series and another victory in Dubai would see them go a step closer to win the ODI series against the world champions, while for Australia winning the second match is badly needed, given that they require a confidence booster victory to get over the poor performance in the second ODI. Pakistan fans are expecting another dominant performance from Pakistan, while Australia fans are looking for a strong come back by the Michael Clarke and his boys.

Match: Pakistan vs Australia, 2nd ODI 2009

Date: 24 April 2009

Venue: Dubai Sports City Cricket Stadium, Dubai, UAE

Time: 15:00 Local time (11:00 GMT)

Live TV: Ten Sports

The 4 wicket victory margin in the first ODI does not epitomize the kind of dominance Pakistan showed in the opening match. In fact, two Pakistani spinners: Shahid Afridi and Saeed Ajmal- outclassed the Australian batsmen as Australia lost their last 8 wicket only for 27 runs, and thus, setting up a small total of 168 for Pakistan. Pakistani batsmen, though, were not at their best as they also struggled against Australian bowlers, Pakistan still did not have any problem to win the match.

The wicket of Dubai Sports City Cricket Stadium helped the spinners a lot and offered swing to the bowlers. Pakistan found the wicket very similar to that of Lahore and Karachi. Australia, on the other hand, was found perplexed in front of Pakistani’s all out spin attack from both ends in the middle of the innings. Both Afridi and Ajmal were at their top and recorded their best bowling figures in ODI cricket in the first match. Afridi picked up 6 wickets for 38 runs, while Ajmal got 2 wickets for just 19 runs from 10 overs. Naturally, Australian team is now more concerned about Pakistan’s spin attack ahead of the second match of the series. In fact, Australian team called for more video footage of spinner Shahid Afridi.

Only one man who performed well for Australia in the first match is all rounder James Hopes who played an unbeaten innings of 48 runs off 46 balls, hitting five 4s and a 6, before picking up 2 wickets for 22 runs in 8 overs. Australian pacers fared well after getting a very small total to defend. Two opening bowlers: Nathan Bracken and Ben Hilfenhaus- started off well to their chase of 169. Bracken conceded only 25 runs in 9.1 overs, but remained wicketless, while Hilfenhaus also picked up 2 wickets. When Pakistani spinners showed all out dominance over Australian batsmen, Australian spinner Nathan Hauritz could not put on anything impressive.

Australian opener Shaun Marsh has been ruled out for the rest of the series as he picked up a hamstring injury during the first match against Pakistan, while diving to reach the crease to complete a single successfully. Marcus North is going to replace Marsh, but it is less likely North will be rushed into the first eleven for the second ODI. In the absence of opener Marsh, Michael Clarke or Shane Watson are expected to pair with Brad Haddin in the opening slot.

Pakistan has been reported to go with the same eleven that played in the first match. Though Pakistan dominated with bowl, they did not bat well. Pakistan would have faced a stiff competition had they been given a target around 250 in the first match. So, Pakistan must be aware of the rustiness they showed in their batting during the first match. Pakistan is now full of confidence after the win in the first match, but the sub-continent team must ensure they are aware of the complacency and can not afford to sit back and relax. In the presence of pacer trio: Umar Gul, Shoaib Akhtar and Iftikhar Anjum- and two spinners Afridi and Ajmal, Pakistan has a very balanced bowling attack. For batting, Pakistani batsmen need to get back on to their form and start performing.

I still think Australia will face another stiff competition from Pakistani spinners and it would be very tough for the Aussies to adapt to the kind of quality spin attack that Pakistan possesses. Wicket will continue to offer swing and help the spinners. Though the wicket is helpful for the spinner, Australia really lacks a quality spinner for quite sometime now. The return of Shoaib Akhtar was not very impressive in the first match, but the veteran pacer would be in the second match to show he has been back into good form. Australian all rounder Andrew Symonds did not have a very good come back in the opening match, and he is expected to show his good form in the second match. Pacer Stuart Clark, however, had an average return in the first match of the ODI series.

Online Live Score and Updates

Here, I am giving some live score and updates websites from where you can get the live updates of the match:

Cricinfo

Sify sports

action8cricket

cricketnext

Headlinesindia.com

CRICBUZZ

123INDIA.COM

Cricket365

Thatscricket

Pakistan seems to be favorite for the second match, but you can not just rule out Australia’s chances. Australian players need to hold on to their patience while facing the spinners and gradually look to rotate the score in the middle overs without going for big hits. So, I think, both Pakistan and Australia have 50-50 chances in the match. I just hope to see an exciting match.

Australia vs Pakistan 1st ODI 2009 Analysis & Live Score

(This entry was originally published on Tuesday, April 21st, 2009)

Pakistan is going to face Australia in the first match of the five-match ODI series at the Dubai Sports City Cricket Stadium, Dubai, UAE tomorrow (22 April 2009). For both sides, the series is very important, though for different reasons. When Pakistan is considering the series as a big relief because finally they are now on the field again following last month’s terror attack on Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore, Australia is looking to retain the top spot of ODI ranking by winning the five match series. However, there is no difference in the intention of the two teams as both Pakistan and Australia are determined to make a winning start to the series.

Match: Pakistan vs Australia, 1^st ODI 2009

Date: 22 April 2009

Venue: Dubai Sports City Cricket Stadium, Dubai, UAE

Time: 14:30 Local time (10:30 GMT)

Live TV: Ten Sports

Pakistan cricket has been in the newspaper headlines over the last one year mostly because of their turbulent security condition of the country. Pakistan has recently been dropped as one of the co-hosts of ICC World Cup 2011 due to the same security concern. Well, Pakistan fans have finally got an opportunity to cheer on for their cricket team on the field as Pakistan and Australia are taking on each other in a seemingly exciting ODI series starting from tomorrow.

Pakistan did not have enough international fixtures over the last nine months during which the sub-continent powerhouse took part in six ODI and two test matches. Now, they are going to play five ODI and a twenty20 international over the next 16 days. So, you can guess that the series in UAE has come as a big occasion for the Pakistani cricket fans who have been starving for cricket actions involving their favorite team for a number of months now.

Australia, on the other hand, has played too much cricket over the last nine months- which eventually resulting into some of their key players being rested for the series. The players who have been given rest ahead of ICC World Twenty20 2009, starting from June 5 in England, are Captain Ricky Ponting, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson and Peter Siddle. In the absence of Ponting, stand-in captain Michel Clarke will lead the Aussies who are now looking to overtake South Africa at the top of the ODI ranking and they know that winning the current series will see them achieving so.

Both sides have some star players who have returned to the squad after a long time and the series seems to be a testing ground for them where they are expected to try to give their hundred percent to retain their regular place in the squad. Australian all rounder Andrew Symonds has made the return after 10 months during which he was headlined mainly because of his off-field problems including breaching discipline and injury. Even his on-field performance in domestic tournament is not impressive at all, but the selectors have given him a chance to prove his worth once again to cement his place in the squad.

Pakistani pacer Shoaib Akhtar has also returned to the squad after getting over his injury and the series is very important for the veteran who missed lots of international cricket actions over the last couple of years because of suspension and injury. Shoaib made a return to 2-1 loss to ODI series against Sri Lanka earlier this year, but his poor performance eventually led the selectors to drop him from the test series against Sri Lanka. The fitness of Shoaib Akhtar is one of the vital issues that Pakistan is dealing with and he could be a crucial performer for Pakistan if he remains fit. In fact, his reverse swing ability on the dry condition could just spice up the already enticing series.

It has been reported that Pakistan could play three pacers including Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul, and Sohail Tanvir, while their spin attack might feature Saeed Ajmal alongside two senior players Shoaib Malik and Shahid Afridi. Pakistan’s batting line up is very much balanced in the presence of two quality all rounders like Shoaib Malik and Afridi with Sohail Tanvir’s ability to put some runs quickly on the board down the order just increasing their batting depth.

For Australia, as I have mentioned earlier, they are missing some of their big stars of today. However, still they are expected to come out strong against Pakistan. Batting will be their main strength in the presence of some quality batsmen like Michael Clarke. Though Clarke and Haddin showed enough progress as a possible opening pair, Australia will feature Shaun Marsh and all rounder Shane Watson in the opening slots, followed by Brad Haddin, Clarke, Symonds, Hussey and Callum Ferguson, who already showed his talent and skill in South Africa.

However, in the absence of Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle, and injured Brett Lee, it is clearly seen that Australia will feature a depleted pace attack including Nathan Bracken, Ben Laughlin and Stuart Clark, who has just retuned from injury. Australia is expected to play Nathan Hauritz as the only specialist spinner in the match with Captain Michael Clarke and Symonds are available as occasional spinner.

Online Live Score and Updates

Here, I am giving some live score and update websites from where you can get the live updates of the match:

Cricinfo

Sify sports

action8cricket

cricketnext

Headlinesindia.com

CRICBUZZ

123INDIA.COM

Cricket365

Thatscricket

The condition will definitely favor Pakistan as they would find it as similar as their home grounds. In a dry condition like this, spinners are expected to have some extra advantages, but the pacers could be dangerous with reverse swing which will be an effective weapon in a hot condition like Dubai. I think, Pakistani spinners could be dangerous for the Australian batsmen who did not face any quality spin attack in a spin-friendly condition in their last two series. In fact, the Australians struggled against South African spinner Johan Botha a lot in their last two ODI series against South Africa. So, the senior players like Clarke, Symonds would have to step up to lead their batting line up, if Australia wants to bring something positive out of the first ODI.

Pakistan vs Australia ODI Series 2009 Schedule Fixture

(This entry was originally published on Tuesday, April 21st, 2009)

The much-awaited ODI series between Pakistan and Australia in UAE kicks off tomorrow (22 April 2009) with the first of the five-match ODI series goes underway at the Dubai Sports City Cricket Stadium. There will be five ODI matches and a twenty20 international during the 16-day tour. The two cricket powers are now all set to take on each other since their last meeting at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 6 February 2005. So, Pakistan and Australia are going to face each other in a one day international after four years. Naturally, cricket fans in the two countries are now excited with the seemingly interesting series.

Pakistan Cricket has been badly hit by the tumultuous security condition of the country over the last couple of years. Many cricket teams refused to visit the country in the last one year in fear of leak of security. ICC was forced to postpone the pre-scheduled ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan last September after a number of test playing countries including Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and England had refused to visit Pakistan. Recently, the tournament was relocated to South Africa which is now due to take place in September this year. Last year, Australia also refused to go on an official tour to Pakistan during which they were scheduled to play a test and an ODI series. That is why, the upcoming ODI series between Pakistan and Australia has been arranged in UAE and the two sides are all set to meet again on the field.

The security condition of Pakistan got aggravated last month when a terrorist attack happened on Sri Lanka cricket team bus near the Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium which put Pakistan under the series scrutiny of International Cricket Council (ICC). In fact, ICC has recently dropped Pakistan as one of the hosts of ICC World Cup 2011. Due to security concern, Pakistan missed many international cricket matches at home over the last one year. In fact, Pakistan did not play any test match in 2008, and they played only 2 tests so far this year. In the last nine months, Pakistan played only 6 ODI matches including a three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka earlier this year. Naturally, Pakistani cricketers are now starving for international cricket and they are keen to play as much international cricket as possible.

Australia stands in a different situation which contrasts to that of Pakistan. The Aussies played so many matches over the last 12 months that some of their key players including Captain Rickey Ponting, Michael Hussey and Mitchell Johnson have been rested for the series against Australia. They are also missing the ongoing IPL 2009 tournament due to exhausting international fixture over the last nine months during which Australia played 12 tests and 18 ODI matches.

While Pakistan is looking for more and more cricket matches, Australia is looking to retain their depleting dominance in ODI format of the game. Australia was beaten by South Africa at home in January this year, before losing another ODI series to South Africa recently on South African soil, and in the way, Australia lost the top spot of ODI ranking to South Africa.

Australia will definitely look to retain the top spot from South Africa by winning the ODI series against Pakistan. Australia has not been at their best over the last one year. Since the retirement of some of their greatest cricketers like Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Australia’s dominance over world cricket in ODI format started to fade away gradually. Moreover, Australia is missing a number of star players like Ponting, Hussey and Johnson who are all rested, while Brett Lee is injured. Naturally, they will appear with their depleted strength against Pakistan. However, there could be some surprise performers like Andrew Symonds for Australia. Symonds has returned to Australian squad after nine months out injured and suspended for breaching disciplinary code of conduct. It is a very big chance for Symonds to prove that he deserves a place in the squad ahead of World Twenty20 due to take place in England in June 2009. So, he would definitely be desperate to prove the justification of his selection in the Australian squad.

The series will be a big test for stand-in captain Michael Clarke too. Clarke will be inspired himself to show his leadership skill in order to strengthen the possible of becoming Australia’s next captain after Ricky Ponting. In the same way, the ODI series is also very important for Pakistan captain Younis Khan who will be leading the team for the first time outside Pakistan. Younis Khan replaces Shoaib Malik as Pakistan captain after the humiliating series defeat at home at the hands of Sri Lanka in a three-match ODI series this year. Naturally, Pakistani supporters are now looking to see a spirited Pakistani team under the leadership of Younis who is expected to lead Pakistan from the front in UAE because he has been one of the most consistent performers over the last few years for Pakistan. Pakistan is also expected a tremendous come back from veteran pacer Soaib Akhtar who missed lots of cricket action over the last couple of years due to suspension and injury problems. Pakistan coach Intikhab Alam is hopeful that Shoaib will be back in action with full swing. All the matches will take place in two venues of UAE: Dubai Sports City Cricket Stadium and Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi. Dubai Sports City Cricket Stadium is yet to host its first international cricket match, while Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi is already well known to Pakistan team as they played against West Indies in a ODI series at this ground last year.

So, we can expect an exciting ODI series between Pakistan and Australia in UAE. I think, all the cricket fans in the two countries are expecting the same. Now, it is down to the two teams to present the cricket fans with some mind blowing matches. Here, I am giving the full schedule of the Pakistan vs Australia series 2009:

Match	Date	Competing Teams	Time	Venue
1st ODI	April 22 Wed	Pakistan vs Australia	Local 14:30; GMT 10:30	Dubai Sports City Cricket Stadium
2nd ODI	April 24 Friday	Pakistan vs Australia	Local 14:30; GMT 10:30	Dubai Sports City Cricket Stadium
3rd ODI	April 27 Monday	Pakistan vs Australia	Local 14:30; GMT 10:30	Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
4th ODI	May 1 Friday	Pakistan vs Australia	Local 14:30; GMT 10:30	Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
5th ODI	May 3 Sunday	Pakistan vs Australia	Local 14:30; GMT 10:30	Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Only T20	May 7 Thu	Pakistan vs Australia	Local 18:00; GMT 14:00	Dubai Sports City Cricket Stadium

Australia vs Pakistan Series 2009 in UAE: Australian Squad

(This entry was originally published on Wednesday, April 15th, 2009)

Australia is going to face Pakistan in UAE in a five-match ODI series and a Twenty20 international. The series commences on 22 April with the first ODI going underway at the Dubai Sports City Cricket Stadium, Dubai, UAE. After losing the ODI series on South African soil recently, the world champions have lost their no. 1 spot in ODI ranking to South Africa once again. However, the Aussies can retain the no. 1 ranking if they can win the upcoming ODI series against Pakistan. The series was supposed to take place in Pakistan, but upon reluctance of Australian team to tour Pakistan due to lack of security, the series was relocated to UAE.

Australia has taken their UAE mission as a preparation for the upcoming World Twenty20 2009 which is due to start from 5 June in England. Keeping this in mind, Australian selectors brought some young faces in the 14-member squad for the Pakistan series. Here, it is noteworthy that their regular captain, Ricky Ponting, has been rested for the series ahead of the Twenty20 world cup and Ashes 2009. Pacer Mitchell Johnson and batsman Michael Hussey have also been rested for the tournament. In Ponting’s absence, Michael Clarke will lead Australia against Pakistan in UAE.

Australian selectors recalled all rounder Andrew Symonds who was suspended from Australia’s tour of South Africa on behavioral ground. Andrew Hilditch, chief selector of Cricket Australia (CA), expressed that Symonds was given an opportunity to prove that he deserved a place in Australian squad and recovered from a series of off-field problems. The selectors are keen to see Symonds’ progress prior to the Twenty20 world championship 2009.

Brett Lee has also been recalled to the ODI squad of Australia for the Pakistan series after the pacer underwent a surgery on his ankle last January. It was earlier suggested that the pacer would come back in action with the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2009 tournament, starting from 18 April 2009 in South Africa. However, Australian selectors could not resist their temptation to recall Brett Lee, having seen excellent progress of Lee’s health over the last couple of the months. There is no doubt, his return to action is very much needed for the Australian team who are struggling to hold on to their dominance over the cricket world over the last one year.

However, according to recent reports available in the media suggests that Brett Lee is not yet fully fit to make his come back yet and Australian selectors have called up uncapped Doug Bollinger as Lee’s back up for the Pakistan series. Cricket Australia medical team has informed National Selection Panel (NSP) that Lee is not yet fit enough to represent his country in international cricket. However, Australian team physiotherapist, Alex Kountouris, has admitted that Lee has already recovered from his surgery in January, but he still needs sometime to finish his rehabilitation process. If he can not make a quick recovery, and improve his fitness, Brett Lee would not go to UAE with Australian team. In that case, it would be a big chance for Doug Bollinger who, after debuting against South Africa in the third test at Sydney last December, is now looking for his ODI debut.

Well, there are some other players who were recalled to the ODI squad after recovering from their respective injuries. Shaun Marsh has just returned after recovering from a hamstring injury, while all rounder Shane Watson has been called up following his recovery from a back injury, and he is initially available only as a batsman, but he could seen bowling in the later part of the series against Pakistan in UAE.

Besides Brett Lee and his cover Doug Bollinger, Australian pace attack features Nathan Bracken, Ben Hilfenhaus, Brett Geeves and Ben Laughlin. Off-spinner Nathan Hauritz is the only specialist spinner, while there is a quality part time spinner in Captain Michael Clarke. Australia’s bowling attack seems to be pretty much stronger than their batting line up. In the absence of Ricky Ponting, Australian batting line up lacks enough depth. All rounder Symonds has not been in good form in domestic cricket, and the Aussies have got a brilliant batsman in Callum Ferguson who proved his class and skill in South Africa, despite Australia’s defeat in the ODI series. Clarke, David Hussey and Ferguson have to play a big role with their bat in the upcoming series against Pakistan in UAE.

Here, I am giving the full list of 14-member Australia squad for the series:

Michael Clarke (capt), Brad Haddin (wk), Nathan Bracken, Callum Ferguson, Brett Geeves, Nathan Hauritz, Ben Hilfenhaus, James Hopes, David Hussey, Ben Laughlin, Brett Lee, Shaun Marsh, Andrew Symonds, Shane Watson.

** Doug Bollinger has been called up as the cover for Brett Lee.