Pakistan, Australia clash in Dubai T20 without key men

Pakistan and Australia look to build up their squads in the shortest format of the game when they meet in the lone Twenty20 International here on Sunday, but both are missing key men.

Pakistan, who were World Twenty20 champions in 2009, will be without their key spinner Saeed Ajmal who is suspended from international cricket after his bowling action was found illegal last month.

Ajmal had been single-handedly shouldering Pakistan’s bowling attack, having taken 85 wickets in 63 Twenty20 matches — the highest by any bowler in this format.

The wily spinner has missed only three T20 matches out of the 66 Pakistan have played since his debut in 2009.

If Ajmal’s loss wasn’t enough, spinner and all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez was also ruled out of the Twenty20 and three one-days after injuring a hand during a practice game on Friday night.

Twenty20 captain Shahid Afridi said Hafeez’s loss added more responsibilities onto the team’s youngsters.

“Hafeez always plays a key role and it’s unfortunate to lose him,” said Afridi on Saturday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. “But this gives an opportunity to youngsters to fill in and show their talent. I am confident with the side we have.”

Pakistan team manager-cum-chief selector Moin Khan said Hafeez’s loss was a big blow.

“Hafeez is an important player for us in Twenty20 and one-days,” Moin said. “He injured his webbing and has been advised to take a two week rest. The physio’s report suggested a minimum two weeks rest, which ruled him out of the limited-overs part of the series against Australia.

“The team management had thus unanimously decided that there was no point in retaining him on the tour. “

Pakistan had a miserable World Twenty20 in Bangladesh in April where they failed to reach the last four for the first time in five editions of the tournament.

That prompted captain Hafeez to step down, handing the responsibility to all-rounder Shahid Afridi for a second time.

Pakistan have included left-arm spinner Raza Hasan to replace Ajmal and also have an exciting leg-spinning all-rounder in Saad Nasim who is uncapped at this level.

Afridi hopes he will be able to guide the young squad towards the 2016 World Twenty20.

“We don’t have to look back, who is not available. We have to think of rebuilding the squad for the 2016 World Twenty20,” said Afridi.

Australia too have a new captain in Aaron Finch who took over after George Bailey stood down to concentrate on one-day cricket.

Australia also went out of the last World Twenty20 in the group stages but they have won six out of their nine shorter format games this year compared to Pakistan’s two from four.

Finch also has a young squad at his disposal after experienced all-rounder Shane Watson was ruled out of the full tour with an ankle injury.

His likely replacement Mitchell Marsh was also out of the tour due to a hamstring injury.

Paceman Pat Cummins will also miss out due to his involvement in a Twenty20 tournament in India, but dashing hitter Glenn Maxwell and uncapped leg-spinner Cameron Boyce have joined the squad.

Finch said Pakistan will miss Hafeez.

“He (Hafeez) is obviously a great player and it is unfortunate for Pakistan (to lose him),” said Finch on Saturday.

Australia are also able to include Phil Hughes, Steve O’Keefe and Nathan Lyon — part of the touring party — for Sunday’s game.

The Twentyw20 match is followed by three One-day Internationals in Sharjah (Oct 7), Dubai (Oct 10) and Abu Dhabi (Oct 12) and two Tests.

Teams (from):

Pakistan: Shahid Afridi (captain), Ahmed Shehzad, Awais Zia, Umar Akmal, Umar Amin, Sohaib Maqsood, Saad Nasim, Raza Hasan, Mohammad Irfan, Wahab Riaz, Bilawal Bhatti, Anwar Ali, Sohail Tanvir.

Australia: Aaron Finch (captain), David Warner, Glenn Maxwell, Phil Hughes, Steven Smith, Brad Haddin, James Faulkner, Sean Abbott, Mitchell Starc, Kane Richardson, Steve O’Keefe, Nathan Lyon, Cameron Boyce.

Umpires: Ahsan Raza and Shozab Raza (both Pakistan).

TV umpire: Ahmed Shahab (Pakistan).

Match referee: Javagal Srinath (India).

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