The esteem with which T20 cricket is held in the world game was highlighted with the unveiling of the biscuit-shaped trophy that is up for grabs in Australia’s upcoming T20 contest with Pakistan.
The trophy was designed in honour of the T20 series sponsors, biscuit-maker TUC, with captains Sarfraz Ahmed and Aaron Finch posing light-heartedly with the trophy ahead of the start of the series on Thursday.
Having lost the recent Test series against Pakistan – their second series loss in a row after losing 3-1 to South Africa earlier this year – and suffering a 6-0 white ball demolition by England, Australia is desperate for any crumbs of recognition as their trophy cabinet is gathering cobwebs.
Although both teams are bobbing around mid-table in the Test rankings, their T20 series represents the powerhouse of T20 cricket, with Australia eager to beat Pakistan in the series in order to wrest the top spot in the ICC T20 team rankings away from their hosts.
Pakistan will hold on to top spot if they win at least one of the three matches in the series, so Australia will be pushing for a clean sweep.
Aaron Finch (891 points) is the top-ranked batter in the ICC’s T20 rankings, with Pakistan’s Fakhar Zaman in second place on 842 points.
You vs the trophy she told you not to worry about. pic.twitter.com/DUGWKWFTbE
— ICC (@ICC) October 23, 2018
Pakistan v Australia – T20 series
24 October – 1st T20I, Abu Dhabi
26 October – 2nd T20I, Dubai
28 October – 3rd T20I, Dubai
Photo: ICC (Twitter)
