Injury-plagued Australia begin their quest for the only major title missing from their overflowing cupboard when they clash with shaky Pakistan in the World Twenty20 in Dhaka on Sunday.
Pakistan s seven-wicket drubbing at India s hands on Friday night should give Australia added confidence for the group two Super-10 game at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium.
But skipper George Bailey refused to take victory for granted, insisting instead that it was spin-heavy Pakistan that held the advantage.
“I don t think we have any advantage,” Bailey said. “If anything, they have probably got the advantage in terms of having played here and got used to the conditions.
“We have not played at this ground yet. It is going to be fresh for us. We have to adjust pretty quickly.”
Australia, already missing premier fast bowler Mitchell Johnson due to a toe infection, will also be without all-rounder James Faulkner for the opening match.
Bailey said Faulkner, a hard-hitting right-hand batsman and left-arm seamer, had still not recovered from the knee injury that forced him to miss the recent tour of South Africa.
“We will just monitor him,” the captain said. “He is an important player. He has certainly played a huge role for Australian sides in the T20 and one-day formats.”
Australia, who have won the 50-over World Cup four times and are a leading Test side, have made the final of the World Twenty20 just once in four attempts, losing the title to England in 2010.
Bailey said the current squad was different from previous ones, but needed to be consistent to win a maiden T20 title.