Pakistan vs Australia LIVE: T20 World Cup 2021 semi-final result and reaction

Babar Azam looked mightily cool at the toss; Aaron Finch perhaps a touch frenetic. It is a big toss for him to win, though, given how sides batting second have dominated in Dubai so far at this tournament.

“They are kind of weird facilities here - you expect it to spin more, but you have just got to see what is in front of you and use the wicket to the best of your ability.

“There are a lot of quality leg-spinners out there. Leg-spin plays a huge role in T20 cricket getting wickets.”

Pakistan are a nightmare opposition for this Australian attack, that opening pair ideally suited to blunt the new-ball and right-hander heavy, and thus able to counter preferred fifth bowling option Glenn Maxwell. If Australia do get an early breakthrough it may bring Maxwell back into contention to the left-handed Zaman, but Pakistan will target him. The pressure will be on Marcus Stoinis and Mitchell Marsh, you’d think, to do a job as the fifth bowler.

We might see Australia back-load his overs if they are able to get wickets early on in the hope that they can get rid of Pakistan’s death hitters before having to utilise Stoinis, who would probably be the preferred operator in that phase. Pakistan do bat deep, though. This could be a very intriguing innings.

Pakistan have largely been a settled lineup in this tournament, provided top order solidity by their outstanding opening pair and with Fakhar Zaman a very useful left-handed spin-hitter at three. But if a platform is laid, how late will they leave it to introduce Asif Ali? Such has been his fearsome hitting in this tournament that it would be a surprise if he were to remain beneath Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik at the death but at what over will Pakistan be comfortable sending him in. 14 onwards?

Babar Azam is not too disappointed to be batting, much as though the ground has favoured chasing sides in this competion. The Pakistan captain says: “We are trying to put runs on the board,” UAE is our backyard so we know the conditions really well. We are trying to utilise that today.”

Pakistan are also as they were, with Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Rizwan able to play after their illness scares.

Pakistan XI: Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Babar Azam (c), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf

“We think it is a nice-looking wicket and don’t think it will change too much,” says Aaron Finch. Everyone is quite relaxed, it is a huge occasion and we are pumped for it.

“I think the trend has been that the powerplay plays a huge part. Both teams have got firepower with the ball.”

Australia unchanged, as expected

XI: Finch (c), Warner, Marsh, Smith, Maxwell, Stoinis, Wade (wk), Cummins, Starc, Zampa, Hazlewood.

After more sparsely populated stands in Abu Dhabi yesterday, full house is expected in Dubai, presumably partly comprised of a good number of expatriate Pakistanis in the UAE.

The toss is about five minutes away.

Pakistan like little more than getting one over India, and it appears that Ramiz Raja has his eyes on beating the BCCI to the punch and introduce Asia’s first female franchise T20 tournament. Along with an imminent Under-19 edition of the Pakistan Super League, a women’s tournament is on the cards...

Pakistan are also likely to stand pat with a tried and tested eleven. Hasan Ali has been the bowler who has struggled most in this tournament but has the fiery character favoured in a third seamer role for which he has limited competition, and his ball-striking adds further depth to a long batting line-up.

Probable Pakistan XI: Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Babar Azam (c), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf