END OF OVER:15 | 11 Runs 1 Wkt | PAK: 107/5 | RR: 7.13
- Babar Azam59 (38b)
- Iftikhar Ahmed1 (1b)
- Mitchell Starc3-0-22-2
- Kane Richardson3-0-16-2
4.50pm Confirming the revised target is 119 from 15 overs and there will be a 5-over powerplay. Play will start at 5.02pm local time. That's 10 minutes away.
Ahmed: "Well done Babar! And with that one innings he has shut up a lot of critics who said captaincy will affect his batting. Just defined a captain's knock!"
Mirza Zaid: "Mohammad Irfan and Shadab Khan will be key players for Pakistan. "
4.40pm Pakistan have laboured to 107 for 5 on the back of their captain Babar Azam's half-century. "We got a couple of nice wickets in the Powerplay and the break probably stopped their momentum," says Mitchell Starc. "It's a good wicket." The revised target for Australia 119 in 15 overs. Alex Malcolm will step into the hot seat once again to launch the chase shortly.
Ahmed joins his captain. Fine leg up
Imad Wasim c Smith b Starc 0 (1b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00
Last over of the innings. Starc to bowl it
END OF OVER:14 | 7 Runs 1 Wkt | PAK: 96/4 | RR: 6.85
- Babar Azam50 (34b)
- Imad Wasim0 (0b)
- Kane Richardson3-0-16-2
- Adam Zampa3-0-30-0
Mirza Zaid: "Richardson is mixing it up brilliantly, I hope Pakistan bowlers are taking notes."
Asif Ali c Agar b Richardson 11 (10b 0x4 1x6) SR: 110.00
Richardson back.
END OF OVER:13 | 13 Runs | PAK: 89/3 | RR: 6.84
- Babar Azam44 (31b)
- Asif Ali10 (7b)
- Adam Zampa3-0-30-0
- Pat Cummins3-0-15-0
Hamza zaidi: "14 balls left for pakistan, surely need a blast from here. 125+ seems toughest but manageble with Asif and babar on crease"
4.30pm And we're back. Rain has cut the game to a 15-over contest. Can Asif finish the innings with a bang for Pakistan? Zampa to resume the 13th over...
4.15pm Here's the latest update from Gnasher: "4.30 restart if no more rain...15 overs per side."
4.11pm Better news: Some movement now and the covers are coming off. "There's a bit of a gap on the radar but some hefty rain out west."
4.10pm "Rain is lighter now but no movement on the covers yet," says Gnasher from SCG
3.30pm Gnasher doesn't bring us good news from Sydney: "Big cover is across the square as the rain comes down steadily...actually quite heavy now."
Edward Scarlet: "Classic Sydney, hasn't rained here in weeks and when we finally get the cricket, it starts pouring"
Abdullah: "I feel Wahab is a useful cricketer in t20s because of his blows with the bat, and improved death bowling. However I feel Irfan is too old and is too much of a liability while fielding to have been in this side."
Twenty years ago this month, no one thought Australia would win when they were staring down a huge target with five wickets in hand and a rookie keeper-batsman at the crease. A look back at the game that announced Adam Gilchrist to the world
Four teenagers, a 37-year-old giant, and Imran Khan - meet the new Pakistan pace pack
3.10pm Argh! The rain has returned to force the players off the field. Gnasher: "There are a few biggish patches of rain on the radar around Sydney at the moment. Will be a bit hit and miss how much we get."
Mirza Zaid: "I believe Babar has passed the first litmus test as a captain. His top order was dismissed Early but he didn't lose his shape. Though he looked nervous at start but came back strong"
Here's something to brighten you up. Sid Monga meets Faith Thomas, the first woman of Aboriginal descent to represent Australia in any sport
Mirza Zaid: "I'm excited to see Irfan bowling in Aus. He could get bounce on dead pitches of UAE, I'm wondering what he will do here."
Aakif Khan: "A youngster should have been given a chance instead of at least one of either Mohammad Irfan or Wahab Riaz if not both ... Pak should focus on T20WC and not just a series."
Rajesh R: "Here Starc is rattled Pakistan in his first spell with the ball.By the way his partner Alyssa has rattled the Melbourne Stars with bat.What a couple!!!!!"
amit: "Babar Azam. You are a gem. Would love to see you play against India. You remind us of the days of Sachin Tendulkar, who carried the team and hopes of the nation almost alone. "