Australia vs Pakistan T20I series: Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney pitch history and T20I records
An entertaining clash awaits as Australia are set to host Pakistan for the second T20I in the ongoing three-match series. The upcoming fixture will be played at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Saturday, November 16.
The opening T20I saw rain reduce 13 overs for each side. In their seven overs, the hosts hammered 93/4, courtesy of Glenn Maxwell's fiery 43 off 19. In reply, Pakistani batters faltered massively. None of their top six batters even managed to enter double digits. Xavier Bartlett and Nathan Ellis took three wickets each as Australia took a 1-0 lead by 29 runs (via the DLS method).
Before the second T20I gets underway, let's glance at the pitch history and stats for the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney T20I stats and records
The Sydney Cricket Ground has hosted 18 T20Is thus far, with the teams batting first winning 10 times. Hence, teams might look to bat first after winning the toss. Here are some important numbers fans should know from previous T20Is played in Sydney:
T20I matches played: 18
Won by teams batting first: 10
Won by teams batting second: 7
Highest team total: 221/5 (Australia) vs England, 2007
Lowest team total: 101 (Bangladesh) vs South Africa, 2022
Highest successful run-chase: 200/3 (India) vs Australia, 2016
Highest individual score: 124* by Shane Watson vs India, 2016
Best bowling figures: 4/10 by Anrich Nortje vs Bangladesh, 2022
Average first-innings score: 168
Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney pitch report
Unlike other bouncy pitches, the Sydney Cricket Ground is similar to subcontinent surfaces. It offers some lateral movement to pacers with the new ball, while spinners can exploit turn off the deck as the match progresses.
Pacers who use variations would be of huge advantage in Sydney. Adam Zampa is the joint-leading wicket-taker at the venue with nine wickets. The pitch report will be telecasted live before the toss at 1:00 pm IST.
Last T20I at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
Pakistan would be happy going into this second T20I, given it was them who played and won the last T20 international on this ground. Incredibly, it was the first semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2022.
Pakistan, once on the brink of elimination from the Super 12 stage, found their way into the summit clash by beating New Zealand in Sydney. Despite opting to bat first, New Zealand made only 152/7, with Daryl Mitchell scoring 53*. Shaheen Afridi took 2/24.
In reply, Pakistan had a superb opening partnership between Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam making 105 in 12.4 overs. While Rizwan scored 57, Babar smashed 53. Mohammad Haris also scored 30 as Pakistan completed the chase in 19.1 overs.