DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - Australia will resume training today after having a day off following their dramatic one-run loss in extra time in game two of their three-match Twenty20 series against Pakistan.
Scores were tied on 151 after the regulation 20 overs and Australia made 11 off their one-over eliminator while Pakistan ran a single off their final ball to finish on 12 to take a two-nil lead.
The loss also relegated Australia to 10th on the T20 world rankings, below the semi-professional Irish who will play Australia in their T20 World Cup Group B clash in Sri Lanka on September 19.
Pace bowler Pat Cummins says they are keen to avoid a series whitewash but the bigger picture is preparing for the World Cup.
"In terms of rankings for T20s, I don't think we're anywhere near where we should be," Cummins said yesterday.
"We're a much better side than that and I think in the World Cup we'll show that."
Australia showed improvement on their second-lowest total ever of 89 in Wednesday's opening game which resulted in a seven-wicket defeat and skipper George Bailey says he's taking plenty of positives out of their extra-time loss.
Debutant Mitchell Starc took 1-17 from his four overs while Bailey hit a career-best 42.
Openers David Warner (31) and Shane Watson (33) were also good contributors.
"If we can improve as we did from the first game, it's going to be really promising," Cummins said.
"After these three games we've got two trial games over in Sri Lanka before the World Cup."