Australia went into the T20 series with the confidence and momentum of the ODI series win behind them. All of that changed as T20 fast bowling ace Umar Gul trapped Shane Watson plumb in front in his first over. The Australian batsmen could never find any sort of fluency in the innings after that. They lost a wicket at every attempt made to up the ante by either finding a fielder in the deep or being outfoxed by a Pakistani bowler. Bailey has plenty to live up to over the next three matches, not least the need for him to put a stamp on the captaincy with his bat, which so far has yielded a grand total of 60 runs and a highest score of 24. Cricket Australia have taken an increasingly serious look at T20, reflected in how the workloads of several players have been managed to have them building up to a peak over the next month. Australians can now slip to 10th in the ICC’s T20 rankings before the global event begins. Should Pakistan sweep the series – a possibility given the lopsidedness of the opening match – then Bailey’s team will line-up for their tournament opener ranked below their opponents Ireland.
Pakistan’s top order looked comfortable but it was Kamran Akmal’s little flurry of boundaries that was most pleasing. His form will be vital for Pakistan at the World T20 simply because he can fit into any position with ease. Pakistan looked comfortable chasing the small total of 89. Pakistan appeared sharp in the field and, coupled with incisive bowling, seemed like a boxer that kept coming at the Aussies. The home side took eight catches without dropping any. The only bad news for the Pakistan is that Shahid Afridi would not join the team in the 2nd T20 International because of its injury on the thumb on left hand. Things change very fast and just two days after winning the ODI series, the Australians find themselves with a lot to prove. The role reversal also extends out to the two new captains. Considerable pressure is mounting up on George Bailey while a relatively calm Mohammad Hafeez finds himself in a good position. Some captains crack in a situation like this but great leaders relish an opportunity to stand and deliver under the spotlight.
