Daijiworld Media Network

Mohali, Mar 25 : How can a misfiring team channelize their efforts towards a common goal? Pakistan have not had a settled batting order. They should have won against New Zealand after Sharjeel Khan got them off to a flier, but the likes of Shehzad, Akmal and Malik could not find that next gear. Issues off the field might have affected the performances as well. However, they need Afridi to inspire them one final time, if they are to have an iota of chance for qualifying for the semifinals. Meanwhile, Australia have also tinkered with their batting line-up. They came into the tournament with David Warner in the middle-order, a move that has drawn a lot of flak. Usman Khawaja has justified his selection with consistent performances, but Watson has held on to his position because of some uncanny bowling.

Let's leave the scenarios for later on and concentrate on two careers that are coming to a halt. Two all-rounders, who have been vital cogs for their respective sides. Two cricketers who have been admired all through the world, who have had their fair share of criticism, but found ways to entertain us. I am talking about Shahid Boom Boom Afridi and Shane Watson. Two of the best in the business, decided their time is up. So, that gives extra motivation for both sides to win it for them. Who will succeed? We'll leave it to time.

Pitch Report: "There is a bit of grass, but it is only here to bind the pitch together. Overall, it is a good pitch and will have good carry. The ball will come on to the bat. You are not going to get a better pitch in India at this time than this one. A bowler should bowl short of a length close and try to hit the stumps," reckons Wasim Akram.

Australia have won the toss and have opted to bat

Afridi: "Batting first is a good option. But since it is a day game, it won't matter much. Irfan is resting and Wahab Riaz comes back. I will take the decision in front of my nation."

Smith: "It looks a pretty good wicket, day and pretty hot. Hopefully we put the runs on the board. We have improved little bit, need to be playing at our best as we head towards the business end of the tournament. Two important games coming up. We have two changes, Finch comes in for Mitch Marsh and Hazlewood replaces Hastings."

Teams:

Pakistan (Playing XI): Sharjeel Khan, Ahmed Shehzad, Khalid Latif, Umar Akmal, Shahid Afridi(c), Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed(w), Imad Wasim, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Sami, Mohammad Amir

Australia (Playing XI): Usman Khawaja, Aaron Finch, Shane Watson, Steven Smith(c), David Warner, Glenn Maxwell, James Faulkner, Peter Nevill(w), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

Match Preview :

It is getting tighter in the ICC World T20, 2016 Group 2 right now after India's one-run victory over Bangladesh. There are three teams in with a realistic chance of making it to the semifinals of the tournament and all of them will be in action at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali over the next three days.

First up, it is Pakistan who will take on Australia on Friday (March 25). It is without doubt a very important game for both teams. Pakistan lost against New Zealand on the same ground, two days ago. Australia are coming in straight after a hard-fought win against Bangladesh. And although Pakistan have the advantage of knowing the conditions a little better, they seem far from a confident side at the moment.

For Shahid Afridi, this could well be the end of an illustrious career, if Pakistan lose the game. The skipper will definitely be in the mood to motivate his team to give it their best in Mohali. Coach Waqar Younis had berated Ahmed Shehzad and Umar Akmal for not finishing off the game against New Zealand. There has been a lot of drama going on behind the scenes with respect to the batting order and they haven't settled upon a consistent one just as yet. While problems persist with the bowling department as well, they have largely been masked by those present in the other folds. For Afridi and the think-tank, the biggest challenges would be to channelise the individual hunger of the players into collective success. If they lose the game, they will be knocked out of the tournament.

As with Pakistan, Australia too are making their way through the tournament after a lot of changes to their batting order. The surface at Mohali might be the best-suited one for their stroke-players. It is expected to be a lot different from the other spinning surfaces that they have played on so far. Australia are yet to win a World T20 and so far they haven't looked like a team that thinks alike. They are still adjusting to David Warner playing down the order and it might well change again if Smith sees reason in pushing Shane Watson down the order on a truer pitch. His bowlers might lack in experience but have so far performed quite creditably. Mohali will pose challenges quite different from what they have encountered so far.

For Australia, they have to win both games to make sure of an easy way through to the next phase. They will still have an outside chance if they lose against Pakistan and win against India, but the second scenario also presents Pakistan's best chance of making it through because of a superior Net Run Rate. So there's certainly a lot to play for and take note of in the two upcoming games.