Pakistan are set to take on Australia in the first of three ODI matches on Monday. The game is to be hosted at the famous Melbourne Cricket Ground. This will be the first time that Mohammad Rizwan will be leading the side after being named the captain for the white ball team. Pakistan are coming into the series on the back of Gary Kirsten stepping down as the coach as Jason Gillespie takes charge of the white ball teams.
Speaking ahead of the series, new skipper Mohammad Rizwan said “We don’t think about individuals while playing for the country. Our job is to play for Pakistan, and whoever is chosen as head coach, we will work with that person to achieve our goals”
The series will also witness Babar Azam return to the fold after missing the final two Test matches against England. The former skipper was dropped owing to poor form. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah also make a return to the side being dropped against England just like Babar Azam was.
Here is the likely Pakistan XI vs Australia
Top order –Abdullah Shafique and Saim Ayub
The opening partnership of Abdullah Shafique and Saim Ayub will be the key for Pakistan during the first ODI on Monday. Saim Ayub is a natural striker of the ball and can clear the ropes with ease. Abdullah Shafique on the other hand is a sturdy batter who believes in building the innings and giving his team a safe strart.
Middle Order – Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Agha
Former skipper Babar Azam will be keen to show his quality after going through bad patch of form. The 30-year-old has a terrific record in the ODI format and is known to score big with the bat. 29-year-old Kamran Ghulam made an immediate impact with the bat on his Test debut against England. The onus of the middle order will lay on the shoulders of Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha. The captain and vice captain duo will be keen to impress on their first outing in charge of the team.
Lower-order – Aamer Jamal and Shaheen Shah Afridi
Aamer Jamal made a huge impact with the bat and ball during the Test tour of Australia earlier this year. Jamal has the ability to score crucial runs lower down the order and also chip in with key wickets. Shaheen Afridi will be hungry to prove the selectors wrong for dropping him. The 24-year-old is a dangerous bowler in the white ball format and can swing the ball early to put the batters under pressure.
Tail enders – Naseem Shah, Arafat Minhas, and Haris Rauf
Naseem Shah has always loved bowling in Australia with his natural swing and ability to beat the batters of the wicket. Naseem Shah will be raring to go with the new ball and partner Shaheen Shah Afridi in the first few overs. Haris Rauf has played enough cricket in Melbourne and will know the conditions well. Arafat Minhas’ growth as a cricketer has been great and he will hope to do well on his likely debut for Pakistan.
Pakistan likely XI against Australia
Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Rizwan (Captain and WK), Salman Agha, Aamer Jamal, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, and Arafat Minhas.
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