Aussies keen to gain on ODI win

Pakistan and Australia will get some practice for next month’s Twenty20 World Cup tournament when they play a one-off version of the game at the Dubai Stadium on Thursday.

The match will be the last international encounter for both teams before next month’s tournament in England, and Pakistan captain Younis Khan wants to make the best of it, after losing a one-day series against Australia.

“We need to take full advantage so that we know where we stand. It’s good to have a match against world’s top team,” said Younis.

In the inaugural World Twenty20, held in South Africa in 2007, Pakistan finished runners-up to India and beat Australia in the Super Eight Stage by six wickets — to date the only T20 match between the two teams.

But Younis believes Thursday’s game will be no pushover.

“We have to be at our best to win this match because Australia are dangerous in all forms of the game,” said Younis.

Australia’s stand-in skipper, Brad Haddin, taking over after Michael Clarke returned home for a rest after the one-day series, hoped for an exciting clash.

“It’s been a great one-day series and Pakistan have some very talented players; a few of those guys can win a game by themselves,” said Haddin.

Australia will see the return of regular captain Ricky Ponting, batsman Michael Hussey and spearhead Mitchell Johnson — all rested for the Pakistan series — in the Twenty20 World Cup, along with Clarke.

Australia may also get a chance to assess further the fitness of pace bowler Brett Lee, who has joined the squad for Thursday’s game and is tipped to play.