Twenty20 - Australia v Pakistan

Australia play hosts to Pakistan in the first International Twenty20 match of the summer in what will be a packed house at the MCG on Friday night. Australia has been installed as $1.42 favourites with online Australian bookmaker Sportsbet, with Pakistan quoted at $2.85.

The Aussies have clean swept Pakistan so far this year winning all three test matches, then winning the One Day series 5-0, so the $1.42 on offer could be value. Pakistan is the reigning Twenty20 World Cup champions, but it is very hard to see them coming away from this match with anything other than a loss.

The thirteen man squads were announced on Wednesday and the Aussies have brought in six new players from the One Day squad, most notable quick bowler Shaun Tait recalled, as well as two debutants in Travis Birt and Steve Smith who appear to have big futures. The Aussies have selected a specialist Twenty20 squad and should get off to a flying start with hard hitting David Warner. It is a deep batting list with quality bowlers, who will cause Pakistan issues.

Pakistan on the other hand have had a tumultuous summer to date, which just got even worse after captain Shahid Afridi suspended for ball tampering after last Sundays One Dayer. They have made wholesale changes to their One Day team, bringing in seven players to their extended squad. Pakistan has four specialist opening batsmen, but their bowling line up is a little thin.

We are predicting Australia to win this comfortably. Pakistan could challenge, particularly with their top order batting, but it is hard to see where the wickets are going to come from against this strong Australian battign line up. Australia will win, and win well. Take Australia to win at $1.42 (pretty obvious…) and check out some High Bat scores for Shane Watson and David Warner.

Extended Squads

Australia:

David Warner, Shaun Marsh, Shane Watson, Michael Clarke, Cameron White, David Hussey, Travis Birt, Brad Haddin, Steve Smith, Mitchell Johnson, Ryan Harris, Shaun Tait, Dirk Nannes.

Pakistan:

Salman Butt, Imran Nazir, Khalid Latif, Imran Farhat, Kamran Akmal, Umar Akmal, Shoaib Malik, Fawad Alam, Sarfraz Ahmed, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, Umar Gul, Mohammad Aamer, Rao Iftikhar, Saeed Ajmal, Mohammad Asif.

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