Can Pakistan break Australia jinx?

The only team still representing the subcontinent in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup in the UAE, Pakistan have already made an impact on the world with their performances in the mega-event and will be looking to take things a step further when they meet Australia in the second semifinal today.

The spirit of the current side led by Babar Azam can be compared to the team that won the 1992 World Cup led by Imran Khan and interestingly, the man who now runs the country as Prime Minister has had a big role this time too.

Following New Zealand and England's decision to cancel tours to Pakistan on security grounds ahead of the mega-event, Imran urged Pakistan to play like 'cornered tigers' in the World Cup. The team handled the rest clinically, reaching the last four of the World Cup with a hundred percent win rate in five Super 12 games, including a historic ten-wicket win over archrivals India.

The blistering opening pair of Babar and Mohammad Rizwan set the tone with the bat before experienced campaigners like Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik smite meaty blows in the latter stages alongside Asif Ali for the perfect finish.

With the ball, pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rouf who have shown a tendency to dent opposition top orders by scalping early wickets. Babar and Co can also expect to have the crowd behind them given the numbers of Pakistani expats gearing up to support their nation in the UAE.

But they will be up against the mighty Aussies in the second semifinal in Dubai today, a team that has defeated them in all four ICC knockout encounters to date.

Apart from an eight-wicket thumping at the hands of England in the group stage, Australia played like Australia despite making some adjustments to form the best possible combination.

Skipper Aaron Finch, David Warner and Mitchell Marsh have not even allowed their middle order to spend significant time at the crease following their brilliant run of form in the group stage. However, the likes of Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis and Matthew Wade will be expected to adjust if the top order fails against a formidable Pakistani pace attack.

Australia also rely heavily on their pace battery, which features the likes of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood while leg-spinner Adam Zampa has proven a trump card for Finch whenever he needs a breakthrough.

The last time Pakistan lost a T20I in the UAE was against England back in 2015 and they bounced back to win 16 straight.

With both sides having plenty of motivation, the battle between the two top sides promises to be a blockbuster event which the cricket world will not want to miss.