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Gros Islet: Australia captain Michael Clarke is expecting a stern challenge from defending champions Pakistan in his side's World Twenty20 opener on Sunday.
Pakistan's recent tour of Australia saw them fail to win in three Tests, five one-day internationals and a Twenty20.
The fall-out was dramatic, with former captains Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan receiving indefinite bans for infighting.
On top of their disciplinary problems, Pakistan will also be without Umar Gul, the most successful bowler in Twenty20 internationals with 43 wickets in 26 matches, after the paceman suffered a shoulder injury at a training camp in Lahore earlier this month.
But batsman Clarke, leading Australia now that Ricky Ponting has opted out of Twenty20 internationals, told reporters on Saturday, "I think Pakistan are very strong in this form of our game. We will have to be at our best.
They're the world champs, so they'll be flying high on confidence.
They like the slower pitches that spin a bit. I would imagine they always like beating Australia like every country seems to do.
Australia will be able to update their files on Pakistan when the title-holders face Bangladesh here on Saturday in the first Group A match.
Clarke's men were involved in a shock result even before the tournament proper started after losing a warm-up match by one run to outsiders Zimbabwe this week.
But Clarke insisted the defeat could yet work in Australia's favour.
Australia's major selection problem heading into the Pakistan match appears to be whether to field off-spinner Nathan Hauritz or get through their slow bowling overs through contributions from the likes of batting all-rounders such as Clarke David Hussey and leg-spinner Steve Smith.
The last time Shahid Afridi played against Australia his stomach grumbled and he chomped at the ball. In this match the rumbling must come from his batting and bowling, which is well suited to the format. Over 28 games he has achieved a strike-rate of 144.04 with the bat and his average is 17.32 with the ball. Now he is captain and in charge of guiding the defending champions.
Team news
Australia The big questions centre around the make-up of the spinners. Should Nathan Hauritz is the first choice. Michael Clarke and David Hussey will chip in with overs as well. Ryan Harris, a late replacement for Brett Lee, will almost certainly be allowed some extra rest but the other 14 players in the squad are available.
Squad from Michael Clarke (C), David Warner, Brad Haddin (WK), Nathan Hauritz, David Hussey, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Dirk Nannes, Tim Paine (WK), Steven Smith, Shaun Tait, Daniel Christian, Shane Watson, Cameron White, Ryan Harris
Pakistan After their impressive opening Pakistan have no reason to change, unless they want another slow-bowling option. Abdul Razzaq was expensive in two overs, giving up 23 runs, and could make way if the team management is in a tinkering mood.
Squad from Shahid Afridi (C), Khalid Latif, Misbah-ul-Haq, Fawad Alam, Umar Akmal, Salman Butt, Abdul Razzaq, Kamran Akmal (WK), Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Aamer, Saeed Ajmal, Hammad Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Irfan, Mohammad Sami, Abdur Rehman
Pitch and conditions
It seems slow and low pitches will dominate the first week of the tournament at least. Hauritz was surprised by the lack of speed during the practice games in St Lucia. The Pakistanis also felt the conditions were difficult during their opening success. Scattered showers are tipped for Sunday along with a top temperature of 30C.
Stats and trivia
Match facts
Sunday May 02, 2010
Start time 13:30 local (17:30 GMT)
