Match Abandoned | Australia vs Pakistan, Highlights And Cricket Score 1st T20I Match - Commentary

Mitchell Starc says they got a couple of nice wickets in the Powerplay but then they build a good partnership and the break stopped the momentum. Mentions it is a good wicket and they would hope to chase this down.

Now then, the revised target for Australia is 119 in 90 balls. They would back themselves to chase this down but if Pakistan bowl well, which their bowlers are surely capable of doing, we are in for a great game. Join us for the chase in a while but before that, Mitchell Starc is down giving an interview.

The Australian bowlers were good! Starc and Richardson were probably the picks as both took two a piece. Agar and Cummins were also decent. Zampa though was expensive and also went wicketless but overall, the hosts will be very happy with how things stand at the moment.

Before the break however, Pakistan's innings did not start all that well as they lost Haris Sohail and Fakhar Zaman in the first two overs. Rizwan and Azam then steadied the ship before the former holed out. Asif Ali then came out and just as he got going, the rain came down. On resumption, Pakistan could not quite score the way they would have wanted but do have something to bowl at.

Not the kind of finish Pakistan would have liked but it is never easy to come out and time your strokes immediately after that break and that is what they needed to do. 14 balls they had and they could only find the fence twice. They though have crawled their way to a total which could be competitive on a wicket which is holding up a little.

Mitchell Starc to Babar Azam. A single to end! A yorker on the pads, Azam works it through square leg for one. 11 runs and a wicket from the last over and Pakistan end with 107 for 5.

Mitchell Starc to Babar Azam. A couple now! Fuller and on middle, it seems to be the slower one. Azam is early in the shot. He mistimes it towards long off for two.

Mitchell Starc to Babar Azam. SIX! A welcome, welcome boundary that for Pakistan. Azam plays an excellent pull shot. This one bounces at a good height, Azam stands tall and pulls it right off the middle and clears the square leg fence.

Mitchell Starc to Iftikhar Ahmed. One more single! Australia won't mind singles. A low full toss on middle, it is hit towards cover for one.

Mitchell Starc to Babar Azam. NOT OUT! Missing leg! Australia lose their only review. It was more in hope I feel, with just four balls left, they would have thought of taking a chance. Starc from around the wicket steams in and bowls it full and on the leg pole. Azam looks to heave it but misses. It hits the pads and rolls on the off side. Starc is appealing as the batters take one. The umpire shakes his head but Australia review. Replays show that the on-field call is the right one. Also, the umpire signals it as a leg bye.

Review time! An appeal for an LBW has been turned down and Australia review.

Iftikhar Ahmed is the new batsman in.

Mitchell Starc to Imad Wasim. OUT! Imad holes out! He struck that nicely but since it was the longer side, he needed to get that right off the middle. Starc goes very full and on middle, Imad lofts it with a straight bat but straight to Smith at long on.

Mitchell Starc to bowl the last over of the innings. 2-0-12-1 are his figures so far.

Kane Richardson to Babar Azam. EDGY FOUR! Fifty for Azam! An excellent start for him with the bat as skipper. He gets there in fortunate manner but he won't care. It is a length ball outside off, Azam swings but ends up getting an outside edge past Carey and down to the third man fence.

Imad Wasim is the new man in.

Kane Richardson to Asif Ali. OUT! Excellent catch by Ashton Agar. A good wicket this as Asif Ali can really hit the ball long. Richardson gets another. He bowls a slower one outside off, Ali looks to drag it over the leg side but fails to get good connection. Agar in the deep runs in and takes a good catch diving forward.

Kane Richardson to Babar Azam. Pakistan have to be content with singles at the moment. This is full and on the pads, Azam flicks it through square leg and a single is taken.

Kane Richardson to Asif Ali. Another single! Slower short ball again outside off, Asif Ali flat-bats it down to long off for one.

Kane Richardson to Asif Ali. A good short one by Richardson. Asif Ali looks to pull but misses. The keeper takes it and appeals but nothing.

Kane Richardson to Babar Azam. Slightly shorter and outside off, Azam slaps it through covers for one.

Kane Richardson is back on. 2-0-9-1 are his figures so far.

Adam Zampa to Babar Azam. A single now! Azam brings out the slog sweep but it does not go off the middle. It goes on the bounce to the fielder at deep square leg, a single taken.

Adam Zampa to Babar Azam. A dot after the break! Azam comes down the track straightaway but Zampa spots it. It is bowled quicker and on the pads, Babar looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads.

We are all set to resume. The Australian players are making their way back onto the field. Asif Ali and Babar Azam will continue their innings. It is now a 15-over per side game so Pakistan have 14 more balls before this innings end.

Update 1615 local (0515 GMT) - Good news, good news, good news, the covers are coming off. The rain has stopped. We should get underway in a bit. From what we are hearing, if there is no further rain, play is scheduled to resume at 1630 local.

Update 1603 local (0503 GMT) - Nothing new to update, it is still raining and it is coming down quite steadily. We have already started losing overs. All we can do now is hope that it clears as quickly as possible.

Update 1523 local (0423 GMT) - The heavens have opened up once again and the players rush off the field. The covers come on. Let us hope it is not a long delay. It is coming down quite heavily at the moment. We still haven't started losing overs though, still around 20 minutes for that to happen.

Adam Zampa to Asif Ali. On off, this is pushed towards cover for one. Good sensible batting from Asif Ali.

Adam Zampa to Asif Ali. SIX! That is colossal! WOW! Asif Ali has hit that a mile. Out comes the slog sweep and it is nailed over the mid-wicket fence. Expensive over already from Zampa this.

Adam Zampa to Babar Azam. On middle, this is worked through square leg for a single.

Adam Zampa to Babar Azam. FOUR! Nicely played! Welcome back into the attack, Zampa. Shorter and outside off, Azam goes back and cuts it through point. No chance for the fielder in the deep.

Adam Zampa is back on. 2-0-17-0 are his figures so far.

Pat Cummins to Babar Azam. Length and on middle, Azam flicks it to mid-wicket for a single.

Pat Cummins to Asif Ali. Full and on the pads, Ali flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.

Pat Cummins to Babar Azam. Back of a length and on middle, Azam pulls it towards mid-wicket for a single.

Pat Cummins to Asif Ali. Another short one and this time Ali pulls it to fine leg for a single.

Pat Cummins to Asif Ali. Some chin music from Cummins. Pat bowls it short but the line is down the leg side. Ali looks to pull it but fails to make any connection between bat and ball.

Pat Cummins to Asif Ali. Length and on off, Ali just pushes it to mid on.

Pat Cummins is back on. 2-0-11-0 are his figures so far.

Ashton Agar to Asif Ali. Asif Ali is off the mark! An arm ball on middle, Ali looks to defend but it goes off the inner half through square leg for one.

Ashton Agar to Babar Azam. On off, this is pushed towards cover for one.

Asif Ali is the new man in.

Ashton Agar to Mohammad Rizwan. OUT! Rizwan holes out! Agar gets the breakthrough Australia desperately wanted. Timely wicket as the two were starting to get a move on. Rizwan comes down the track and also makes room. Agar bowls it wider outside off. Rizwan looks to drag it over long on but gets it off the toe end. Cummins there runs to his left and takes a neat catch. A good stand and a good innings by Rizwan comes to an end.

Ashton Agar to Babar Azam. Flatter and shorter outside off, this is cut to point.

Ashton Agar to Babar Azam. FOUR! Out comes the slog sweep, it is hit very well and through mid-wicket for a boundary. Runs starting to come thick and fast now. Also, this is a good shot against Agar as he does not turn the ball a lot and it is with the angle.

Ashton Agar to Mohammad Rizwan. Rizwan makes room and Agar bowls it on the stumps, Rizwan swings but it goes off the inner half to the right of the bowler for one.

Adam Zampa to Babar Azam. Tossed up delivery on middle, Azam keeps it out.

Adam Zampa to Mohammad Rizwan. Flighted delivery on middle, Rizwan drives it through mid on. The batsmen cross ends.

Adam Zampa to Mohammad Rizwan. Floated delivery on off, Rizwan plays it to point.

Adam Zampa to Babar Azam. Tossed up delivery on off, Azam punches it towards point. The batsmen cross ends.

Adam Zampa to Babar Azam. Short delivery on middle, Azam pulls it through mid-wicket. The batsmen pick up a couple.

Adam Zampa to Mohammad Rizwan. Flighted delivery on middle, Rizwan flicks it towards mid-wicket for a single. 50-run partnership between Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam.

Adam Zampa is back on. 1-0-12-0 are his figures so far.

Ashton Agar to Babar Azam. Azam is happy to defend this flatter one on off.

Ashton Agar to Mohammad Rizwan. Full and outside off, Rizwan looks to run it down to third man but gets it off the outer half off his bat to short third man. A single taken.

Ashton Agar to Mohammad Rizwan. Tossed up outside off, Rizwan plays it straight to the man at covers.

Ashton Agar to Babar Azam. Flatter outside off, Azam pushes it to covers for a single.

Ashton Agar to Babar Azam. SIX! Lucky for the new skipper. What Rizwan fails to do Azam does it with ease. He dances down to this tossed up ball and lofts it high and over mid off. The ball just about manages to clear the leaping Steven Smith at long off. Babar Azam has found his form back with the responsibility to lead the side.

Ashton Agar to Mohammad Rizwan. Full and middle, Rizwan skips down the track and looks to go downtown. But chips it to long on for a single.

Pat Cummins to Mohammad Rizwan. That was brilliant by Cummins! Exceptional stuff from the pacer. This is on off and it is on a length. Rizwan looks to defend but the ball hits the higher part of the bat which he ends up dropping. They go for the run. Cummins gets to the ball quickly and then back flicks it towards the stumps at the bowler's end but misses. Had he hit, Rizwan would have been short. Excellent improvisation. He knew had he turned and then had a shy, Rizwan would have made it.

Pat Cummins to Mohammad Rizwan. A short one on off, Rizwan looks to upper cut it but misses.

Pat Cummins to Babar Azam. Shorter and on middle, it is pulled through mid-wicket for one.

Pat Cummins to Mohammad Rizwan. Played to the point region by the batsman. They pick up a single.

Pat Cummins to Mohammad Rizwan. Streaky runs again! This is on a good length and just outside off, Rizwan looks to defend but there is extra bounce. It goes off the glove and down towards third man. The batters take two. However, one-short signaled by the umpire.

Pat Cummins to Mohammad Rizwan. Shorter in length and on the body, Rizwan pulls it behind square on the leg side for two.

Pat Cummins is back on. 1-0-5-0 are his figures so far.

Ashton Agar to Mohammad Rizwan. Rizwan makes use of his feet but Agar bowls it on the pads, it is flicked through square leg. Rizwan wants a second but is sent back. 6 from Agar's first.

Ashton Agar to Mohammad Rizwan. A couple! This is slightly shorter and outside off, Rizwan plays it late and through point for two.

Ashton Agar to Babar Azam. Azam comes down the track and Agar fires it on the pads, it is worked through mid-wicket for one.

Ashton Agar to Babar Azam. Slower through the air on middle, this is pushed back to the bowler.

Ashton Agar to Mohammad Rizwan. This starts outside off and it drifst back in. It is eased down to long off for one.

Ashton Agar to Babar Azam. Flatter and on middle, this is pushed down to long on for a single.

Ashton Agar is into the attack.

Kane Richardson to Babar Azam. Yes, he does! Just the single to end! Pakistan are 38 for 2 after the first six. A good Powerplay for Australia but Pakistan did well to recover after losing two early. The last ball is a short one around off, it is guided towards point and the fumble makes the single easier for the batters.

Kane Richardson to Mohammad Rizwan. Just the single again! On middle, this is worked towards mid on. Just the two from the 6th so far, can Richardson end well?

Kane Richardson to Mohammad Rizwan. Rizwan looks to be innovative as he tries to paddle scoop this one. Richardson cleverly bowls it outside off and it is another dot as Rizwan misses.

Kane Richardson to Mohammad Rizwan. A seam-up ball this time around off, it is guided to point.

Kane Richardson to Mohammad Rizwan. Beautifully bowled! A slower bumper, Rizwan too does not pick it. He is way to early in the pull and gets beaten.

Kane Richardson to Babar Azam. Uppish but wide! A slower one and it is shorter outside off. Azam does not pick it. He is a touch early in his slap. He is already through his shot and hence, it goes uppishly but just wide of the fielder at short cover and towards mid off for one.

Kane Richardson is back on. 1-0-6-1 are his figures so far.

Pat Cummins to Babar Azam. Close! End of a tidy over by Cummins. This is on off, Azam drops it towards point and takes off. Smith gets to the ball quickly and then has a shy at the striker's end but misses. Maybe Rizwan's dive would have saved him there.

Pat Cummins to Babar Azam. A couple now! Cummins bowls this one on the pads, Azam tucks it through mid-wicket and takes an easy two.

Pat Cummins to Mohammad Rizwan. This is angled into the pads, it is worked through mid-wicket for a single.

Pat Cummins to Mohammad Rizwan. Back of a length on middle, defended.

Pat Cummins to Mohammad Rizwan. Fuller and on middle, Rizwan works it to mid on.

Pat Cummins to Babar Azam. Shorter and around off, Azam guides it down to third man for one.

Pat Cummins is on now.

Adam Zampa to Mohammad Rizwan. A couple to end! 0 from the first three balls and 12 from the last three. An excellent over for Pakistan. On middle, Rizwan works it through mid-wicket, calls for two and takes it.

Adam Zampa to Mohammad Rizwan. SIX! First of the game. This is a top class shot. 10 from the last two balls. Rizwan once again dances down the track but does not get to the pitch of it. He though had made room as he came down and that worked in his favour. He just went through with the shot and lofts it over extra cover. It goes all the way.

Adam Zampa to Mohammad Rizwan. FOUR! That should release the pressure that was building. Rizwan makes good use of the feet and gets to the pitch of the ball. He hammers it down to the long off fence.

Adam Zampa to Mohammad Rizwan. Make that three! This is tossed up on off, Rizwan hits it back to the bowler.

Adam Zampa to Mohammad Rizwan. Out comes the sweep shot but Rizwan finds short fine leg. Two dots to begin by the leggie.

Adam Zampa to Mohammad Rizwan. Shorter and around off, Rizwan cuts it to point.

Spin time! Adam Zampa comes on now. Can he match the good work done by the seamers so far?

Mitchell Starc to Mohammad Rizwan. Good running! Rizwan pushes this towards mid off and completes a run. A good over this for Pakistan.

Mitchell Starc to Babar Azam. Again, a boundary is followed by a single as it is guided down to third man.

Mitchell Starc to Babar Azam. EDGY FOUR! Azam, in his first game as skipper has all the luck on his side. This time there is a first slip in place but it goes through the vacant second slip region. This is slightly fuller and outside off, Azam looks to stroke it on the up but it goes off the outside edge and down to the third man fence.

Mitchell Starc to Babar Azam. Azam misses out there! It is short and outside off, Babar slashes at it but misses.

Mitchell Starc to Mohammad Rizwan. One more length ball around off, Rizwan mistimes it towards extra cover and gets to the other end.

Mitchell Starc to Mohammad Rizwan. On a length and around off, Rizwan defends it onto the ground.

Kane Richardson to Mohammad Rizwan. Well played in the end! This is a length ball outside off, there is extra bounce. Rizwan does well to play it with soft hands down to third man for one. He is off the mark. Another good over for Australia.

Mohammad Rizwan walks out at number 4. Pakistan in trouble here. Can he stitch a partnership with his skipper?

Kane Richardson to Haris Sohail. OUT! In the air... taken! Two down and now both the opening bowlers have struck in their first over. Not sure what Haris was doing there, this shot was just needless at the moment, especially after a boundary had already come in the over. Richardson bowls this shorter in length and it is angling across the batter. Sohail takes a few steps down the track and then looks to hammer it over mid-wicket. He does not get on top of the bounce and a top edge is produced. It goes high up in the air towards point where Smith takes another catch. Pakistan in trouble here.

Kane Richardson to Haris Sohail. On middle, Haris goes back and defends it.

Kane Richardson to Babar Azam. On the pads, Azam whips it through square leg for one. Follows the boundary with a single, good batting.

Kane Richardson to Babar Azam. EDGY FOUR! No slip and a boundary! Not sure why there is no slip in place, an early wicket has been taken, you could probably have attacked for a few more deliveries. Richardson bowls this slightly short and outside off, Azam pushes at it, the ball flies off the outside edge and goes through the vacant slip region for a boundary.

Kane Richardson to Babar Azam. Good length and on off, this is defended onto the ground.

Kane Richardson to share the ball from the other end.

Mitchell Starc to Haris Sohail. A bumper to end! Sohail ducks under it. A typical fast bowler's response. Bowls a bumper after getting hit for a boundary. A successful first over for the hosts comes to an end.

Mitchell Starc to Haris Sohail. FOUR! TAKE THAT! First boundary of the day. That has been hit straight as an arrow. Starc goes full again and on middle, no swing this time. Sohail shows the full face of the bat and hits it uppishly past the outstretched hand of Starc for a boundary.

Mitchell Starc to Haris Sohail. That is unplayable! WOW! This is a little more fuller around off and it shapes away late. Sohail ends up playing inside the line and gets beaten.

Mitchell Starc to Haris Sohail. BEATEN! Starc has started off really well. This is on a length and around off, shapes away a touch. Haris pokes at it and gets beaten.

Haris Sohail comes out to bat at number 3.

Mitchell Starc to Fakhar Zaman. OUT! TAKEN! A first-baller for Zaman and Starc, like he has done numerous times in his career, strikes in his first over. Ideal start for Australia after electing to bowl. Starc bowls this fuller and around off, it shapes away a touch. Zaman pushes at it, he plays it ahead of his body. The ball flies off the outer half towards point and goes straight into the hands of Smith. The Australians are pumped up.

Mitchell Starc to Babar Azam. Pakistan are underway straightaway! Slightly short and outside off, Azam plays it late and it goes down towards third man for a single.

We are all set to begin. The Australian players are out in the middle. Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman will open the batting for Pakistan. Mitchell Starc will start the proceedings for the hosts.

Update 1414 local (0314 GMT) - OH NO! Everything was going really well till now but all of a sudden the heavens have opened up. On come the covers. As I type that though, the RAIN SEEMS TO HAVE GONE AND OFF COME THE COVERS! That escalated quickly. Let's now hope the game starts on time.

Pakistan (Playing XI) - Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam (C), Haris Sohail, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Asif Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Wahab Riaz, Shahdab Khan, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Irfan.

Australia (Playing XI) - Aaron Finch (C), David Warner, Steven Smith, Ben McDermott, Ashton Turner, Alex Carey (WK), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Kane Richardson, Adam Zampa.

TOSS - It's time for the flip of the coin and it lands in favour of Aaron Finch. AUSTRALIA ELECT TO FIELD.

The T20I fever continues in Australia as they now welcome the side that was whitewashed by the side they whitewashed in the last series, Pakistan. Yes, the visitors did lose to Sri Lanka 3-0 in their own den but one would surely agree if we say the Pakistan side looks much better on paper than the Lankans so the Australians can expect a tougher test right? Well, it completely depends on which Pakistan side arrives, on their day, they are capable of beating anyone but when they do not play well, they just don't. Also, this is their first game under the captaincy of Babar Azam and he would be eager to start his campaign off with a win. Not going to be easy though. Let's hope for an exciting game of cricket.