Pakistan bat first in second T20 in Canberra

Pakistan have won the toss and elected to bat in the second Gillette Series T20 International against Australia at Manuka Oval in Canberra.

Both sides have named unchanged sides from Sunday's washed-out opener in Sydney. 

Australia XI: Aaron Finch (c), David Warner, Steve Smith, Ben McDermott, Ashton Turner, Alex Carey, Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Kane Richardson, Adam Zampa.

Pakistan XI: Babar Azam (c), Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Rizwan, Asif Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Wahab Riaz, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Irfan

The hosts will be in pursuit of their longest undefeated streak in the format since Michael Clarke's early days as captain, with their six-match unbeaten streak following on from a last defeat to India at the SCG almost a year ago.

The Aussies have not been beaten in any of their last six T20 matches, with their last loss coming almost a year ago against India at the SCG.

Since then they have beaten India twice on home soil, clean swept Sri Lanka 3-0 last month and been unlucky to be washed out against Pakistan on Sunday.

A win tonight in Canberra would mark the first time they have gone seven matches without a loss since 2010, when Clarke was in his first year as captain and Tim Nielsen was coach.

This streak comes at a crucial time for Australia's team, as they have now started to turn a clear focus to clinching a maiden title in next year's home World Cup in the format.

"We want to keep improving," vice-captain Alex Carey said.

"We've shown against Sri Lanka that we've come out and performed really well in our conditions.

"Hopefully we can do that against Pakistan now.

"We've still got a long way to go to get to No.1, which is what we're striving to do. The World Cup is 12 months away."

Australia's previous streak under Clarke and Nielsen lasted 12 matches in 2009-10, and remains the record mark for all teams until this day.

Meanwhile, the current-day squad will play plenty of cricket between now and next year's home tournament, which kicks off in October.

Between now and then they have three-match T20 series in South Africa, New Zealand and England, before hosting West Indies and India before the tournament.

Australia would be expected to take close to their best squad into the majority of those series.

"We've got some really good opportunities coming up to play some really good cricket and keep learning as a group moving into that World Cup," Carey said.

"Hopefully with 12 months out we can keep performing and keep that group together.

"Right now it's working, but we know cricket is one of those games where you want guys performing and at the moment we're doing that."

Gillette T20 INTLs v Pakistan

Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (c), Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Irfan, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Musa Khan, Shadab Khan, Usman Qadir.

November 3: First T20I, SCG, No result

November 5: Second T20I, Manuka Oval, 7.10pm (Fox & Kayo)

November 8: Third T20I, Perth Stadium, 4.30pm (Fox & Kayo)