Villani poised to unleash in T20s: Healy

Australia wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy expects Elyse Villani to unleash if given the opportunity against Pakistan in Thursday's opening Twenty20 International in Kuala Lumpur.

Villani was restricted to carrying drinks during Australia's one-day series whitewash against the same opposition throughout the past week, unable to break into a star-studded batting line-up.

But the 28-year-old is a key cog in the Australian's 20-over side and is likely to return to the XI for the first of the three-match series, with one-day opener Nicole Bolton the most likely to make way.

Villani boasts an outstanding record against Pakistan, averaging 90.33 from the five times she's faced the subcontinent nation.

"(Pakistan veteran) Sana Mir said herself at dinner last night that Junior (Villani) enjoys the Pakistan attack and hopefully we see her unleash in the T20s," Healy said ahead of Australian training at Kinrara Academy Oval on Wednesday.

"Our batting line-up so strong at the moment, it's great to see the depth we've got within our squad.

"It's a really exciting squad that we've got and it's a squad we can use in any format of the game.

"Everyone is performing and doing their role with the bat and with the ball.

"For someone like Junior who has dominated Pakistan over the years to not get a run in the one-dayers shows the strength of our batting line-up."

Australia spearhead Megan Schutt sat out the final ODI but the world's top-ranked T20 bowler is also set to return on Thursday, while Delissa Kimmince – who acquitted herself admirably in Australia's three-nil series win over New Zealand earlier this month – could also make a return after sitting on the sidelines through the 50-over matches.

One face not yet ready to return is star left-arm spinner Jess Jonassen, who is recuperating from knee surgery. The Queenslander, who is set to fly out to Malaysia to join her teammates, was named in Australia's squad for both the Pakistan T20s and next month's World T20, but was always expected to make her return in time for that tournament's warm-up matches rather than the Pakistan series.

When she does return, it will pose a dilemma for the Australian selections given the outstanding performances of 20-year-old left-arm finger spinner Sophie Molineux, who stepped into Jonassen's shoes during the ODI series and returned the remarkable figures of 6-39 from 26 overs across the three matches.

"Soph has been amazing," Healy said. "To see the level of maturity in a young player coming straight into the squad and doing a role like she has, it's unbelievable for a young player to be coming in and doing that role that JJ has been doing for a long time.

"She's very composed and will no doubt have a very long career in the green and gold."

The Pakistan Cricket Board will live stream all three T20 matches, while live scores will be available on cricket.com.au and on the CA Live app.

CommBank Tour of Malaysia

Australia ODI squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Nicole Bolton, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy (wk), Delissa Kimmince, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Elyse Villani, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham

Australia T20 & World T20 squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Nicole Bolton, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy (wk), Jess Jonassen (subject to fitness), Delissa Kimmince, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Elyse Villani, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham

Pakistan ODI/T20 squad: Javeria Khan (c), Bibi Nahida, Ayesha Zafar, Muneeba Ali Siddiqui, Sidra Amin, Omaima Sohail, Nida Rashid, Sidra Nawaz, Sana Mir, Nashra Sundhu, Anum Amin, Natalia Parvaiz, Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Aiman Anwar

October 18: Australia won the first ODI by five wickets

October 20: Australia won the second ODI by 150 runs

October 22: Australia won the third ODI by 89 runs

October 25: First T20I v Pakistan, Kinrara Academy Oval

October 27: Second T20I v Pakistan, Kinrara Academy Oval

October 29: Third T20I v Pakistan, Kinrara Academy Oval

2018 ICC Women's World T20  

November 9: Australia v Pakistan, Province Stadium, Guyana

November 11: Australia v Ireland, Province Stadium

November 13: Australia v New Zealand, Province Stadium

November 17: Australia v India, Province Stadium

November 22: Semi-finals, Sir Vivian Richards Ground, Antigua

November 24: Final, Sir Vivian Richards Ground