Pakistan names two debutants in playing XI for 1st Australia Test

Published: 09:14 PM, 13 Dec, 2023
Sports
Pakistan names two debutants in playing XI for 1st Australia Test

 


Pakistan national cricket team has announced the playing XI for the opening Test against Australia, starting on December 14th at the Optus Stadium in Perth, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.


The tourists on Wednesday named two debutants in the playing XI, with all-rounder Aamir Jamal and Khurram Shahzad set to make their first appearances in Test cricket.


Jamal has already represented Pakistan in 4 T20Is, making his debut against England last year, but managed only one wicket. The 27-year-old has a decent first-class record, taking 76 wickets in 28 matches at 32.57. Shahzad, yet another right-arm medium bowler, has relatively better numbers in the first-class circuit, picking up 136 scalps in 45 fixtures at 29.24.


Salman Ali Agha is the lone specialist spinner picked in the XI, while Faheem Ashraf is likely to share the new ball with Shaheen Shah Afridi. Mohammad Rizwan has been overlooked for the keeper's role, with Sarfaraz Ahmed pipping him.


Pakistan’s Playing XI:


Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (c), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Aamir Jamal, Khurram Shahzad.



The Pakistan cricket team faces a monumental challenge as they prepare to tackle Australia on their home turf in the Test series. The opening match is set to commence on December 14th at the Perth Stadium, marking the start of a highly anticipated cricketing clash between two giants of the cricket world.


The recently appointed captain of the Pakistan cricket team, Shan Masood, along with his squad, engaged in a four-day warm-up match against the Australian Prime Minister’s XI. The skipper showcased remarkable batting skills, notching an unbeaten double-century with a score of 201 runs. Unfortunately, persistent heavy rain led to the match concluding in a premature draw.



In past Test series against Australia, Pakistan has struggled, failing to secure a series victory and not winning a single match since 1999. The current Pakistani side, under the leadership of the new captain, boasting a mix of experienced players and promising young talent, is expected to provide a more formidable challenge to the host team,


Players use marble slab in nets


Eyeing a Test win in Australia in 27 years, the Pakistan cricket team has left no stone unturned in its preparation for the first Test against the hosts, starting Thursday.


The Shan Masood-led side played a four-day practice game against Australia's Prime Minister's XI last week at the Manuka Oval in Canberra. The match ended in a draw after no play was possible on Day 4. However, Pakistan were far from pleased with the 'slow and low' track prepared for the solitary warm-up game.


Pakistan's Director of Cricket Mohammad Hafeez was criticial of the pitch used for the game against the Prime Minister's XI.


"The pitch we received for the practice (match in Canberra), that was the slowest we can ever, ever play on as a visiting team in Australia," Hafeez had told the reporters on Monday.


In order to get their batters ready for the first Test pitch, which is likely to offer quite some bounce to pacers, Pakistan players have resorted to rather unorthodox methods.


Having said that, the Pakistan players were seen practicing with a marble slab in the nets to acclimatize to the extra bounce of the famous Perth track.



 

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